Adopting the world’s ways instead of God’s ways is serious business. Someone once said, “Give the church a few years and it will assimilate the ways of the world.” Several would argue this has already been happening for some time.

Now then make confession to the Lord, the God of your fathers and do his will.

Ezra 10:11

In the scripture surrounding today’s verse, Israel had disobeyed God by marrying foreign wives. This was a big deal back then. They had not only invited the ladies into their homes, but they had adopted their ways. God demanded repentance not just because His people had disobeyed Him, but because they had also compromised their character in pursuit of what they wanted, not what He knew was best.

Believers are to be in the world, not of it; not to simply pass time until Heaven, but to be sent into the world as Christ’s witnesses (John 17:18). Yet you can’t represent Jesus if there is no difference between your lifestyle and the unbelievers around you (Romans 12:2). Is your focus self-centered and pleasure-seeking, or do you strive to be like Jesus, express His character, and declare His name? Pray for Christians in America to be a shining light in this nation this holiday season and in the year to come.

Recommended Reading: John 17:6-19