Rebels WITH a cause

Elijah said, “How long will you go limping with two different opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” 1 Kings 18:21

Jesus said, “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old cloak; otherwise, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made.” Mark 2:21




Have you ever thought of yourself as a counter-cultural rebel?

Even by taking the time to read this devotion, you are.

There are so many things about the way Christ offers us that put us out of sync with the culture that surrounds us every day.

We are surrounded by messages that tell us our primary identity is "consumer" ....but we are formed by the God who reminded us "it is more blessed to give than to receive."

We are placed in many situations in which we would have every right to carry resentments and nurture grudges...but we pray every time we gather "forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us."

We are steeped in a culture that would encourage us to get even with those who hurt us, which only perpetuates cycles of violence and injury (whether physical or emotional)...but we read Scriptures that encourage us to love our enemies and pray for those who hate us.

It isn't easy living out of sync with the culture, and we don't always get it right. So let's just focus on today. May God shape us today...guide us today...and give us the courage to live in the values of the Kingdom of God instead of the kingdoms of the world. Indeed, this truth shall set us free.

PRAYER:
Father, when you sent your Son, you sent a new way of life which offers us a life of redemption and salvation. May we live each day in a way that shows that we are redeemed, saved, and loved by you. Amen.*

*Prayer taken from the Moravian Daily Texts