January 22, 2005
Against The Flow
Read: 1 Peter 4:1-5
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. —Romans 12:2
Bible In One Year: Job 21-24
Two college students in Moorhead, Minnesota, painted a mural on the wall outside their dormitory room. According to USA Today, it showed a school of fish all swimming in the same direction except for a single fish heading the opposite way.
The one fish was intended to be the age-old symbol for Christ. Printed on the picture were the words, "Go against the flow." University officials, arguing that the mural might offend non-Christians, ordered the students to paint over it.
In obedience to our Master, we must be willing to go against the flow of society. As we follow Jesus, our motives, values, and habits are bound to be different from those who are not Christians. That's the way it was in the first century when the pagans were puzzled and convicted by the lifestyle of Christians. Peter wrote, "They think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you" (1 Peter 4:4).
When we are marching to the beat of a different drummer, of course we will be out of step with certain aspects of society. This takes conviction, courage, and courtesy. But by God's enabling grace we can be disturbingly different—and effectively different too. —Vernon Grounds
Some will flatter, some will slight;
Cease from man and look above you,
Trust in God and do the right. —Macleod
When we walk with the Lord, we'll be out of step with the world.