Posted in Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is Liberty. 2 Cor. 3:17

 Individually Conformed to Him

Everything in God’s universe is revelational of God’s infinity, God’s diversity, God’s individuality.  God creates distinct individualities.  God maintains the identity and individuality of everything He created {Teaching & Learning America’s Christian History by Rosalie J. Slater, 1965}

We know well, we are not to be conformed to the world.  God’s Word has made that clear.  And, certainly, our own personal digression at times confirms the truth of the dangers of so conforming.  At some point, there is no distinction.

However, at times, the same type of pressure can be extended by the church to conform to it—conform to its programs, methods, and even personality at the time.

But we need to always be resolute in only being 100% accountable to the Lord and the Word of God as the true foundation and source for everything we do.  God has made each of us individual; knowing us before the foundations of the earth.  He has an individual plan for each of us.  And we must first seek what He desires of us and not necessarily how the church may be pleading.

However, one command the Lord has given us is not to forsake the fellowship of believers.  So that command we cannot forget and clearly we have a responsibility to the fellowship to aid in its burden.  But we would be well-minded to seek Him first in considering the petitions of the Church for “[m]y yoke is easy and my burden is light.” {Matthew 11:30}  “For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.” {1 John 5:3}

The Pilgrims of old compared all things they did to the Word of God and followed God’s plan for them, as William Bradford described it, to “propagate and advance ye gospel of ye kingdom of Christ in those remote parts of ye world” {Of Plymouth Plantation, Journal of William Bradford}.  It was not the church they were following but God’s unfolding plan for their lives and still the Church was greatly advanced as a result of their efforts.

If we would do the same in seeking His leading, and following it…we will find ourselves in absolute obedience, completely and individually conformed to Him, with an easy yoke and light burden; and still responding exceedingly to The Great Commission to which the Lord has called us.           

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