To Spare the Bush...

"You'll never change the world by acting like it."

I refer to it as...the "conformity gospel". *finger quotations to emphasize how unrealistic it should sound*

To think you can reach people more effectively by conforming to or excusing their worldly lifestyle/appearance/language/habits/etc is so counter-productive and- here comes the sass- sounds more like an excuse to loosen up or validate a personal weakness if you ask me.

I'm not saying any of us are exempt from temptation and "holier-than-thou" thinking, or that we have to be hostile towards people where they're at...if either of those happened to be your first assumption of my point you may or may not be defensive. 😃 But we can be loving towards and even relate to others while still living not-conformed, (set apart, in the world but not of it) exhorting and challenging them into a more Christ-honouring mindset, which will in turn make a difference outward in their life.

You don't stand out when you are trying to blend in...just as Jesus will not be seen for the holy God He is if we present Him to the lost as one of their "buddies" who just wants them to feel good about themselves.