Christianity? Or the traditions of men?

Just like having your cake and eating it, is an impossibility, so is having the best of both worlds, thus the need to make a choice. Will you have your cake or will you eat it? Christianity or the traditions of men? I quite often listen to conversations on contemporary Christianity and religion and it always has a very unpleasant landing in my ears and I am more unsettled when I think through the details of such conversations. Sometimes, it is I who shocks myself when I realise that the old manner of thinking still draws my attention and subtly disguises as identity.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2 (ESV)

What is your pick? The traditions of man or the fear of God? The choice to be a Christian is personal but the tenets of Christianity are universal. Many times we believe that it is our personal salvation and we are right because working out our salvation is individual and intentional task, even then the end product is the same or rather the goal is the same; that we are conformed to the image and likeness of Jesus the christ our saviour. As such our decision should draw us to more of who He is like and away from what identity in this world actually is. The reminder to not conform to this world is a statement of our likely weakness to look like what we know and are used to. Transformation through renewal of our minds should be what draws us and what actually becomes our lifestyle.

Comfort zones have drowned many, such is the comfort zone of the norm in this world. It makes the transformed status, a preserve of those who allowed and worked towards a renewed mind. Hopefully this transformed status is your goal as it is mine. Don’t be too comfortable with this world, for friendship with the world is enmity with God.

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:4 (ESV)

A simple criteria in making the choice

• Who do you fear most?
• What side of eternity are you planning to go?