Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)
I can still remember our Sunday drives to church… man I loved those backroads. When my dad wasn’t working, he would drive those bumpy roads while my mom would paint her nails in the passenger seat. Somehow she always had them done and dry by the time we made it to church, a true skill.
But on the Sundays that my dad was working and my brother was out of the house, it would just be mom and I and that meant that I got to be in charge of the radio station. And on Sunday mornings I would flip through the stations to find some good “church music.” Now these were the days before bands like Hillsong United, Third Day, and Crowder. This was a time of true gospel or what I used to call “hallelujah” music, or the contemporary Christian music.
Thankfully over the years God has raised up so many different and amazing musicians/artists. Now you can have Christian rock, pop, and rap, something you can move to. Listen, I am a child of the 80s and 90s, I have to have music that I can dance to or bring up some emotion in me for goodness sake!
From riding in the car on Sunday mornings listening to 90s “church music,” to now rocking out to Jesus Culture in my Saved. t-shirt, to posting scripture on Instagram, and grabbing my phone for my bible, the Christian world has definitely changed. But are all of these changes for the better? What matters more to me, the cute trendy Christian shirt or reading my bible every day? Do people know me as a Christian because I listen to the music and wear the clothes or because I talk to them about scripture and how Jesus saves lives?
Paul tells us in Romans to “not be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” Am I conforming to this world? Am I renewing my mind in Christ Jesus? All questions that I have been asking myself lately.
Now don’t get me wrong, I love a trendy shirt and I would probably get a Jesus tattoo if my husband didn’t dislike tattoos so much, but why do I do it? Is it for me or for someone else to see? Is it for God?
These days I feel like Christianity has become somewhat trendy. It seems like there are many companies jumping on the band wagon of catchy t-shirts and jewelry or pastors wearing trendy clothing, or hanging out with celebrities. Which is all great, as long as your heart’s in the right place. But, have we let the “world” influence our core beliefs and values? Is it better to have your bible on your phone where there are so many distractions? Do I care that my post of having a glass of wine without kids got more “likes” than my posts about God’s Word?
Trends fade away, but Christianity is forever.
God does not care about catchy t-shirts, tattoos, or Instagram posts. He wants our hearts, our souls, and our minds. Believing that Jesus was sent to die on a cross for our sins and asking Him to come into our life is wonderful, but what we do after that is what matters the most.
Before Jesus went up to Heaven he said,
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
That means not just that Jesus was sent to us as a Savior, but “all that I have commanded” is everything that he taught his disciples using God’s Word, the whole bible should continue to be taught and studied.
Being a Christian is not just wearing the shirt and talking the talk, it is living it and breathing it day in and day out. Your words matter, your actions matter, your thoughts matter, how you treat others matters. Just because you raised your hand to accept Christ doesn’t mean that it stops there, it is only the beginning. The easy part is going to church on Sundays, attending conferences or youth nights once a month.
The hard part is waking up 10 minutes earlier to pray or read your bible, attending a weekly small group, praying out loud with someone, defending your faith to an unbeliever, fasting from social media regularly, and spending time on your knees with the Father. God is using all of us to further His kingdom. We are the vessels and all we have to do is to be obedient in our faith. We need to be spreading God’s Word in our “Not Today Satan” t-shirt and holding ourselves accountable. We need to ask ourselves why we believe what we believe and ask God what we can do for Him.
Do you want a trendy relationship with God that can fade away or one that lasts forever?
Heavenly Father thank you for being there even when I am not. Thank you that you are with us in this dark world that we live in and that you have not given up on us. I pray that I will not conform to this world and that I will continue to live for you and you alone. You are the truth, the way, and the life and that is where I want to put my faith. Help me to be obedient in your Word and to take away the distractions. What can I do for you today Lord? How can I be a vessel for you? In your name I pray, AMEN.
I am a lover of Jesus, family, friendships, sunshine, and tacos! I want to invite women in to feel inspired and encouraged through my writing. My heart is full when I get to bring women together through life’s experiences and God’s Word. Let’s do life together!
This is such an important reminder that our hope is built on timeless truths — and all the fluff comes and goes.
Great post Jennifer. We all need to remember that spreading the gospel and telling others about Jesus is more than putting on a t-shirt.
Challenging word, Jennifer. I do all the trendy stuff, too … but the Word of God is the only thing that remains … thank you for this!
My husband is currently reading “Not a Fan” by Kyle Idleman. This reminds me so much of what he’s been sharing with me. But it also helps me to look at it from a different angle. Trends do come and go, but Jesus is forever. Thanks for sharing your heart and wisdom with us.
Such a valid point, Jennifer. Christianity isn’t a thing to do, but a comittment to relationship with our Savior. That is most definitely a two way street and something we have to invest in. Thanks for sharing your thoughts – very insightful.
You have offered so much to ponder. The older I grow, the more concerned I am with the state of the Church. All to often we have abandoned the Truth for convenience, for entertainment. I love that you began this post with Romans 12:2. I am beginning a series on Romans 12 on my blog and calling it Authentic because I believe the world needs to see Authentic Christians.
Jennifer, great questions to ask ourselves. Thanks for asking them so we can ponder them and our own walk with Jesus.