A Peculiar People

By: Melody Mohnhaupt

This week’s blog is a little different than our usual blogs. I’ve been inspired to (mostly) let the Word speak for itself. Through me, the Lord is reminding his daughters, of the holiness we have been called to. Who are we to be, according to the Holy Word of the Lord? What have we been commanded to do? In what manner are we supposed to live our lives? Every. Day. Of. The. Year.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 1 Peter 2:9 (KJV)

We aren’t like everybody else. Does that make us better than them? No, it doesn’t. But, we are privileged to know the truth. And when we came to know Jesus (the way, the truth, and the life) we made him our Lord (hopefully). We gave him full reign in our lives (again, hopefully). It’s his way that we need to yield to. We can no longer live our lives according to our old nature. We have been changed. We have been made new. And with that, we have a new responsibility and standard to live our lives according to.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:48 (KJV)

Our Lord is so gracious and so merciful, but he is also just! We, as his children, can not afford to play around with the world. We know better. We have been called up, and called out. We have so much more required of us, and we need to have our act together.

Be ye holy; for I am holy. 1 Peter 1:16 (KJV)

Do not participate in the worthless and unproductive deeds of darkness, but instead expose them [by exemplifying personal integrity, moral courage, and godly character]; Ephesians 5:11 (AMP)

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2 (KJV)

Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all]. 3 John 1:11 (AMP)

Abstain from all appearance of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV)

You shall be blameless (complete, perfect) before the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 8:13 (KJV)

These are commandments of the Lord. Be holy, do not participate, be not conformed, do not imitate, abstain, be blameless! As I witness the world around me getting darker, I realize that we have to fight each day to be more and more set apart from it. If we do not continually perfect ourself and keep ourselves holy, we could easily conform to the ways of the world without even realizing it. The influence is so subtle. It doesn't look bad. If anything, it’s enticing. But, we must stay watchful that these subtleties do not influence us or, even worse, overtake us and corrupt us!

… Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
2 Corinthians 11:14 (KJV)

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour: 1 Peter 5:8 (KJV)

Therefore see that you walk carefully [living life with honor, purpose, and courage; shunning those who tolerate and enable evil], not as the unwise, but as wise [sensible, intelligent, discerning people], making the very most of your time [on earth, recognizing and taking advantage of each opportunity and using it with wisdom and diligence], because the days are [filled with] evil. Ephesians 5:15-16 (AMP)

It’s not always easy standing up for the truth. You will get persecuted. People may laugh, they may get offended, you may be an outcast, you might be called weird, or crazy, or too “goody-goody”, but, when it comes down to it, their opinion doesn't matter; only God’s does. You will stand before God. He will judge you. Not them. It is more important to care what God says rather than what your friends may say. Stand strong on the word and do not waver! Your spiritual live depends on it!

If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. John 15:18 (KJV)

Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. Matthew 5:12

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore… Ephesians 6:13-14 (KJV)

What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 (KJV)

If you have felt any conviction while reading this, don’t ignore it. It is the spirit of the Lord beckoning you not to partake of unfruitful works of darkness. Partaking in such, is not the Lord’s desire for his precious daughters. Do not conform to the ways of the world. You have been called to be set apart! I pray none were offend, but if so, please ask yourself, “what is it that offends me”? Is it God’s word? Is it too hard to heard? Remember, this is why many followers of Jesus no longer followed him towards the end of his life: because his words were too hard to bare and apply to their own lives. But this is why we must ask for his help. He is our strength. We can’t fulfill his words on our own abilities. We must cry out to our father to be strong in our weakness.

And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (KJV)

The Lord is requiring more of you, dear sister. Will you neglect or reject it? Or will you surrender to the Almighty? 

Be blessed. 

.:Melody:.