Peculiar People In Troubling Times

I've pondered the above many a moment...  Wondering if I wasn't made for a simpler time, when "tweets" only came from birds & nooks were just cozy corners {& that was enough}... but, truthfully, there has been confusion & drama in the world since Eve took that first bite of forbidden fruit all those thousands of years ago {no technology required}.  

Since then, sin has been running its rampant course {& none can escape it on their own strength}.  The enemy lurks like a proud lion.  

You don't have to look far to see the world honors & celebrates what is no longer good or pure...

Lies from the World & Truths from the Word:

LIE: Ugly talk is no longer reserved for the crude, but is common speech for all. 

TRUTH: "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." 
-Ephesians 4:29 NIV  

LIE: Dressing modestly is not flattering.
TRUTH: "But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle & quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious." -1 Peter 3:4 ESV

LIE: Marriage can be defined in 
more than one way.  
TRUTH: "Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders... & that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ & by the Spirit of our God."
-1 Corinthians 6:9&11 NIV

LIE: It's okay to live together before marriage - in fact, it's normal.
TRUTH: "Marriage should be honored by all, & the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer & all the sexually immoral." 
-Hebrews 13:4 NIV

LIE: Looking at explicit stuff doesn't hurt anyone.
TRUTH: "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." 
-Matthew 5:28 NIV

LIE: Believe whatever feels good & right to you.  
TRUTH: "Jesus answered, 'I am the way & the truth & the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
-John 14:6 NIV

Yes, since its first introduction sin has been a festering boil upon the planet & the world oozes with it {no matter the era}, but through Jesus Christ there is forgiveness, healing, & life.  The nasty wound of guilt & shame can be washed away through repentance, confessing Jesus as your Savior, & obedience to Him through baptism for the gift of the Holy Spirit.   There is certainly no error in the era you were placed; God has a plan.  We are called to be "peculiar people" - a Light in an otherwise dark time.

TRUTH: "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of Him who hath called you out of darkness into His marvelous light..."
-1 Peter 2:9 KJB

Love & Peculiarity =),
-Bess-

P.S.: I was sorta of inspired to write this from all the coverage the Oscars got.  I didn't watch it, but I saw all the commercials.  We are not called to be like the world & the things they hold high, but to hold high our King Jesus.  Let's be peculiar people as God has called us to be & shine His light in this generation where we've been placed for His purpose!