Question 1

Why does God want me, as a Christian, to be different from the world around me?

Accepted Answer

Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.It’s easy to slip into the behavior and customs of your culture. It takes thoughtful and purposeful resolution to live God’s way. He promises to help by changing the way you think to transform you into a person who pleases him. It’s better to live a life that pleases God than to please society.2 Corinthians 5:17This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!Christians are to act like Christ, who did not conform to the culture but modeled how God wants people to live. Every culture is bent toward selfishness and a sinful lifestyle. But God calls you to be selfless and to do your best to keep sin from controlling you.1 John 2:15-16Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.Not everything in the world is bad—after all, God created it. But the world has been infected with evil, and believers need to be especially discerning. To focus only on this world and what you can get for yourself in your lifetime is against all that God wants for you. Enjoy the good things God gives, work against evil, and allow God to guide.1 Corinthians 8:9You must be careful so that your freedom does not cause others with a weaker conscience to stumble.Many people say, “I’m going to do what I want. I don’t care what people say.” But Christians can’t have that attitude. You have a special responsibility to act as a representative of Christ. If your actions are not consistent with your faith, then you could cause unbelievers to question the life-changing power of God, and cause believers to doubt their faith.

Question 2

Can I be conformed to Christ and still hang on to old habits?

Accepted Answer

Luke 18:21-23The man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” When Jesus heard his answer, he said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done. Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the man heard this he became very sad, for he was very rich.In this parable, Jesus shows that it is very difficult to let go of the things of this world that distract you from following him. Conforming to his standards is hard work and requires much from you, but it brings freedom from being enslaved to sin and eternal rewards far greater than you could imagine.

Conformity