Do we assume the world should act as we do?

Psalm 139:13 “You, God, knitted me together in my mother’s womb.”
 
We, the followers of Christ, have an urgent prayer request before us as tomorrow the Supreme Court will begin hearing arguments on abortions after a baby reaches a certain age.
 
While believers understand the value of a baby in the womb, why do we expect the world to embrace our same values? 1 Corinthians 1:18 reminds us that the unsaved of the world do not even agree with us concerning the value of Jesus Christ going to cross for us, so why would they agree with us on the worth of a baby’s life or the value found in observing the commands of God. “The message about the cross doesn’t make any sense to lost people. But for those of us who are being saved, it is God’s power at work” (1 C 1:18).
 
The world views sin as an allowance, and one that makes no sense that we do not join them in. 1 Peter 4:3-4 observes that the unsaved do what they want, as did we when we were unsaved; “For you have spent enough time in the past carrying out the same desires as the Gentiles: living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing, and detestable idolatry. Because of this, they consider it strange of you not to plunge with them into the same flood of reckless indiscretion, and they heap abuse on you.”
 
Living in sin and disobedience to God is what the world knows and prefers. Proverbs 29:16, “When the wicked are in authority, sin flourishes…” Yet we still want the world to live as we do. One reason is that we desire to see them saved and experience something better, as Paul said in Romans 10:1, “My heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.”
 
The second reason pertains to our personal comforts. It would be much easier to live in a world that valued the same things we do, and never challenge or persecute us for living differently. But the truth is this; 2 Timothy 3:12 “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (see also John 15:18-20).
 
As a follower of Christ, we persevere and must continue to live in obedience to our Lord regardless of how distorted things around us get. We pray for those things we know to be right (1 Thess. 5:17), even if they go another way. We continue to pray for those in authority over us (Romans 13:1-2), even if we don’t agree with their decisions. We continue to demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:3-11) in our life regardless of our surroundings.
 
Jesus Christ asked you to follow Him. Make it your lifelong personal agenda and passion.
 
Pastor Mike
Between Sundays