Jell-O Christians

By Words of Hope, Monday, January 01, 2007

Read: Romans 12:1-2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds. (v. 2)

I grew up on Jell-O. I think we had it on the table at least once a week. One significant fact about Jell-O is that it can be formed into so many interesting shapes; you pour it as a hot liquid into a mold and as it solidifies it takes that shape.

Too often Christians are like Jell-O. We look around, see how the rest of society is living, and want to fit in. Thus we adopt the values and attitudes of those who do not confess Christ's name, following the world's thinking on materialism, sexual immorality, selfish indulgence, entertainment, etc.

This goes contrary to Paul's perspective. He begins Romans 12 with "therefore," a word that shows he is ready to apply all of the teachings he has offered thus far. His basic theme is that Christians must stand out as different from the world. I like the J. B. Phillips translation here: "Do not let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold."

The peer pressure of conforming our lifestyle to that of unbelievers is constant. But Paul calls us to be transformed so that we conform to the mold of the loving, caring, sacrificial Christ.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me to conform my life to the principles of your Word, not the world. Amen.

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