The Message Changes Us

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

Audio version at http://tinyurl.com/33hkp2

A story was told of a preacher who was very concerned about reaching the lost of his community. He had pondered how he would be able to reach some of the people who had no use for religion at all. As he examined all of the possibilities, the preacher decided that he would just go where the lost people were and try to blend in as much as possible. He reasoned that if he was successful in becoming their friends and being more like them that he would be more effective in reaching them for Christ.

His plan seemed reasonable but it certainly did not fit every situation. One of the spots that the preacher went to reach the lost citizens of that town was to the local bar. At first he just sat around, awkwardly attempting to make small talk. But before long he was able to recognize all the regulars and he became familiar with many of their problems.

He explained his frequent trips to the bar as being a part of the Lord’s work in reaching the lost. But before long the preacher, in an attempt to further blend in, began to also consume some of the drinks as he conversed with the patrons of the bar.

The preacher’s noble goal of reaching the lost was compromised due to his lack of proper reasoning and judgment. He had willingly placed himself in a position of temptation and jeopardy on almost a daily basis. By the time he began to drink with the others, drinking seemed to be just the normal thing to do. In the end, it was the sinners who converted the preacher instead of the other way around.

A church marquee sign once read, “We don’t change the message, the message changes us.” As Christians we submit to the wisdom and direction of our Lord and we willingly allow our lives to be changed by the words of the Master.

Paul stated in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

At the conclusion of that same chapter in verse 21 he stated, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

Friends, many good people have been lured away by the wiles of the devil. His attractive packaging of sin has caused the majority of the world to fall for his trap. But God desires that we should not be like the world, rather we should be transformed into instruments for His service.

Notice also that Paul’s words include the actions of renewing our minds and overcoming evil with good. These are actions for the faithful child of God. If we do not actively live our religion, we will soon be without it.

So how would you assess your situation with God today? Have you been conformed to this world or transformed into a faithful follower of God? The choice is totally up to you. God wants you to obey Him, but He will not stop you from following after other gods if that is what you desire.

The preacher who fell to temptation had a good idea—find the lost where they are and minister to them. But in his failed effort to reach the lost, he compromised the message and in the end the wrong party was changed.

We must always be mindful of the lost and do all that we can in order to reach them. But we must be careful not to fall to the temptation to change or compromise that great message from God.

On Our Daily Walk today, may we frequently compare our life to what God expects of us. May we seek out ways to transform our sinful life to a life of righteous living. May we resist the temptations to conform to this world.

Our thought for the day: “The longer you look at temptation, the more liable you will be to fall for it.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.

© Our Daily Walk, Mike Baker, 2007. Permission is granted to copy these articles provided they are not sold and the author's name and copyright are included.