Conforming?

Be Holy (NIV)
1 Peter 1:13-22 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. 21 Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.

Pastor Brent preached this past Sunday on 1 Peter 1:13-22, which in my NIV Bible, is the Road to Holiness and being Holy. As Pastor Brent is preaching this, Jayne leans over and says this is exactly what we were talking about this week and the trouble with people these days.

You know she is right. I took notes during the sermon and these are my notes and what I heard in the message.

Be self-controlled – self discipline
Obey – because you want to
Live like you are an example

Be accountable everyday

Be motivated to set an example - to live like Jesus
 Live in fear of not being like Jesus

Listen and accept God’s discipline – treasure it
Live your life to please God – Every Single Day!

People lack self control and discipline. Don't think so, drive the speed limit and see how many cars pass you! That is a direct indication of people knowing what the law is and directly disobeying. Yeah, Yeah, but I am in a hurry and doing 5 miles an hour over the limit will not get me a ticket. You're right. You probably will not get a ticket, but what's the law say? Just because you do not get caught does not mean you're right. 

Self-discipline. Do what is right even when no one is looking. Wait, God is always looking and watching. So who are you trying to please? You only need to please God, as He is the only one that ultimately will count. Besides if you live to please God, all else falls into place.

Place Your Life Before God

Romans 12:1-2 (MSG)

12: ^1-2 So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.