Jesus Our Standard Bearer

 

It's ironic that people like to be unique with their own autonomy yet still want to blend in and adapt to the society and culture in which they live.  So they work hard at conforming.  They learn the belief systems, useful local expressions and cool gestures, and more, whether its in their neighborhood, workplace, school or church, they want to be 'like them'.  Like a chameleon to its environment, so too doth the person 'change their color' to blend in.

Often, this has to do with self-preservation and there's some safety in that.  However, as Xochitl Dixon says in one Our Daily Bread devotion, 

"Blending into this world means living in opposition to the Scriptures."

A person, once they've absorbed the'social norm' thoughts, beliefs and way of life, will operate, act out and live according to those so-called standards.  That way they don't get a lot of flack and humiliation from their peerage.  The follower of Jesus Christ, however, must transform to be more like Jesus.  The Holy Spirit, together with God's Word and our obedience thereto, will be able to look and love just like Jesus.  Our thought and belief system will be according to His standard.  Jesus is our standard bearer; rather, He is THE standard bearer to whom we can safely conform and transform.  We will definitely NOT blend in but we will stand out whether we wish to or not.

Be reminded of God's Word,

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind ..." (Romans 12:2 [ESV]).

We'll earn a great deal of censure from society but we'll be able to look steadily into God's eyes and forward to His, "well done, good and faithful servant" at the end of our earthly journey.

Check yourself for areas in which you have been 'blending in' to society.  Transform to be more like Jesus in look and love.

May God's grace and mercy extend to us as we do. 

 "In Him we can live, move and have our being."  

We are His offspring, afterall (see Acts 17:28)  Amen.

                                                  ~ ERC   February 2025 ~

Based on Romans 12:2 ESV, and Our Daily Bread 2023 - Sept/Oct/Nov - 16 Sept - by Xochitl Dixon.

Sing, More Like Jesus Would I Be, along with Rod Smith.