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When In Rome...

...do as the Romans, right? After all, it is the convenient thing to do. Who wants to make waves by rocking the boat? Fly under the radar (to mix metaphors) and you won't call attention to yourself.

That has been my motto for as long as I can remember.  But as Christians, there are times when we cannot simply assimilate and go with the flow. We are called to a higher standard.

The funny thing is that it is so much easier to just go along with the crowd. It is much easier to live a carnal Christianity. I know from personal experience how easy it is to act like a Christian when with other believers and then act more worldly when around non-believers. At the time, I didn't think anything of it.

Unfortunately, I was ignoring the words of our Lord and Saviour from Matthew 6:24, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other or be devoted to one and despise the other..." (see also Luke 16:13). Jesus was saying that as much as we think we can serve two masters, we can't. It's impossible. You are committed to one or the other. Just like in a marriage, either you are committed to your spouse or you're not. Period. There is no wiggle room.

As Christians, we cannot and indeed must not simply go with the flow. We cannot do as the Romans, when we are in Rome. If we name the name of Christ, we must do as Christ would do no matter where we are nor with whom.

In many instances, it will mean making tough decisions. In some cases, it may even mean disappointing friends and loved ones. It might cost us treasured relationships. But won't an eternity in Heaven with Christ, our Saviour and God, the Father be worth it all?

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