Most people cannot step out of the box the culture has fashioned for them. As a born again believer I try to stay out of the cultural box entirely.
Its not that I wish to be different for difference sake, its just that when we follow Christ we will be a "peculiar" people, meaning strange, not fitting in and separate.
Sometimes we separate ourselves but often the culture separates us from them because they hate the things of God. When we are free in Christ to follow His principles and directions we are in far less bondage than those who feel pressured to do the things the culture mandates for them.
Its surprising to me that those who are continually whipped around by cultural pressure think we are the ones who are in bondage, when the opposite is true.
I have never been more free than I am right now. I am free to choose which path I want while ignoring the intimidation of the culture to do things their way.
It isn't "them or us" in our thinking as born again believers, its "them or Christ." When we follow the dictates of our heart that is full of Christ we will love the path we have decided, that is a path directed by Christ. We are not forced to do this out of ritual, we love Him knowing His love has fashioned the best for us.
The culture does not make their rules based on what is best for anyone. Their rules are based on compliance to be one of them.
Once you have been targeted as the scapegoat, choosing your own path because you love Christ, there will be no returning to the culture. We don't want what the culture wants but even more interesting, once you are a scapegoat to the culture you will never be anything else even if you began to do everything their way.
I remember in elementary school there were those who were treated disrespectfully because they were poor or didn't dress in style. If one of these people would show up one day uncharacteristically dressed in style they would be mocked for "trying to fit in." Once a person has been scapepgoated, there is no recovery from that with those who bullied.
The only solution was to remove ourselves from the bullies and get on with our lives with those who didn't bully.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 "…16 What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.” 17 “Therefore come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.” 18 And: “I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”"
Let me encourage all those scapegoats that the freest people in the world are those who do not have to walk according to the culture or the bully. And, believe me, the culture as a whole are bullies. All we have to do is look at what happens when we do not adhere to the cultural group think, this will give us a clear picture of the mentality of those who are in bondage to the culture.
If you like some cultural things, great enjoy them, but never feel compelled to do anything because others think you should. We are allowed to say no, or disengage with anyone or anything that does not meet our personal desires.
As a born again believers our desires will be in line with the mind of Christ. We will love and enjoy what He loves and enjoys. When we have a weak fleshly moment we hate it and return to fellowship with Him. No one is bullied into following Christ, it is a choice and we love Him.
Remember: Weak people follow other people. Strong people follow Christ.
Psalm 46:1-3
"God the Refuge of His People.
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah, set to Alamoth. A Song.
46 God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change
And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea;
3 Though its waters roar and foam,
Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. Selah.
Those who are culturally bound should fear what is coming, those who love Christ have no fear of anything. Hallelujah!!!
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