“Mom, why can’t I watch that show, Joey’s mom lets him?”
As a Christ-follower, I strive to be obedient to Jesus. Not out of duty but out of my love for him. I long to live my life in compliance with God’s Word. There are verses in the Bible that are easier to accept and follow than others. For example “You shall not murder.” (Exodus 20:13) or “Do not repay evil for evil” (Romans 12:17). I have no problem obeying these verses. However, there are other verses that are not as easy like, “Do everything without arguing or complaining” (Phil 2:14). I’m usually pretty good at not arguing but I tend to complain sometimes when I have to do something I don’t want to or feel sick or uncomfortable.
As a Christian parent, I have an internal struggle. I see compromise everywhere. My children ask me why I don’t let them do something or wear something that other Christian kids do. I struggle with the balance between religiosity/legalism and freedom without compromise? Romans 12:2 says “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
As Christians, it’s easy to conform to the patterns of this world. It’s easy to blend in and look like our neighbors. But God has called us to be in the world; not of the world. As a matter of fact in 1 Peter 2:9 Peter writes “For you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.”
Are we living our lives and raising our children without compromising? Does your family life look like everyone else’s or is Christ the center? Are you living like a chosen people, a royal priest, a holy nation, God’s child? As we navigate life’s waters, it’s important to know whose we are and where we came from.
Don’t compromise by conforming to the pattern of this world. Allow God to transform you by renewing your mind, your actions, and your parenting.
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