This morning we covered a very ackward but very meaningful section of scripture, Genesis 17:1-27. In these verses we find that Abram and Sarai have their names changed by God to Abraham and Sarah. We also find that God sets a sign between him and Abraham's family to show that he has set them apart as different. This sign was the covenent of circumcision. This circumcison wasn't a way for Abraham and his descendants to have salvation but instead it was a sign of the covenant between God and them, to set them apart to God so that they were different from the world.
When we read from Romans 2:25-29 we find that God isn't looking for us to be physically circumcised but instead have our hearts (soul) circumcised to him. This means that we have our hearts set apart to God. We will struction our lives around God rather than pleasure, wealth, people, a dream, sports, popularity, etc... When we are truly set apart to God it will make you stand out and it will cause others to try and mock and tear you down.
How does it make us stand out? Let me give you some examples...
Christians will pratice abstinance till marriage instead of indulging in pre-marital sex.
Christians will live a pure life instead of using pornography
Christians will give rather than steal
Christians will tell the truth rather than lie
Christians will take care of their bodies rather than using drugs, alcohol, etc...
Christians will repsect thos in leadership rather than mocking them
Christians will love others rather than hating and mocking them
Christians will dress modestly rather than dressing inappropriatly
Christians will use good speech rather than crass or crude speech
Christians will watch/listen to/read things that are pure rather than whatever is fun
And this is not a full list. When we do these things we will look different. We are called to be different (not strange, just different). Are you willing to stand up and stand out for God? Are you willing to be set apart to God in your heart?
I give this morning: A+
Favorite Moment: The challenge to purify our lives
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