Good morning Sheepdogs

In this video, RC Sproul explains how we live in the world but live with God. He reminds us to not seclude ourselves from the world but to live in it and not conform to it. Christ was the greatest nonconformist to exist. He did not confirm to the world, and we are the follow his example of nonconformity. He stood against the temple model, against the hypocrites, the Sanhedrin, the Pharisees, the ungodly authority that had conformed to the world. Dr. Sproul articulates his message in a special way. Please give it a listen. Question: how do we live in the world without conforming to it: socially, physically?... music, buildings, teachings, how we treat others, how others treat us? Do we live to be "popular" or liked by others or to be loved by God or to please others or God?

The Apostle John recounts what Christ said in chapter 17 as he prays for his disciples... for us. Keep in mind, this was just before he was betrayed, taken, and crucified.

11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name, the name you gave me, so that they may be one as we are one. 12 While I was with them, I protected them and kept them safe by that name you gave me. None has been lost except the one doomed to destruction so that Scripture would be fulfilled.

13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Christ does not ask God to take his disciples out of the world but to protect them from the evils of the world and preserve them (by that name you gave them) while they live out their faith and life in the midst of the world. Paul also states this in Romans 12 "

"If you want to be a "nonconformist" then be someone who's word can be trusted. Be someone who does what's right, even when it costs you money". Simply put, do what's right just because it's right... even when no one is looking, and it costs you.

RC Sproul states that the fellow that led him to Christ asked him "What does it mean for you to be a Christian? He told RC, what it means to me is that I'm going to outwork you, I'm going to outfight you, and I'm going to outlove you. He understood that to be a Christian meant a call to excellence that went beyond the standards of what is the social norm in the world. We are not governed by society and what law says is right or wrong. God gives us our morality. God gives us our law and he gives us his commands to obey. Our morality doesn't come from a supreme court decision or a government law.