The Pressure to Conform

by Doy Moyer

For all the talk in today’s culture about being your own person and expressing yourself freely, there is tremendous pressure to conform. Culture doesn’t want you to freely express yourself when it goes against worldly agendas. Be a free thinker, but you better accept gay marriage. Don’t be a lemming; think for yourself, but know that if you don’t think the way we tell you to, then you will be labeled a bigot, homophobe, a hater, or worse, a “Christian.”

This cultural pressure reminds me of the way the Romans allowed for freedom of religion. “You are free to practice your religion, but if you dare to interrupt our way of life, you will pay the price.” The Pax Romana (Roman Peace) was based on forced conformity — as long as you did exactly what they told you, they’ll leave you alone. Get out of step, and they will punish severely.

Christians should not be surprised (cf. 1 Pet. 4), so we need to see our way clear to at least three responses:

1. Do not conform to the world (Rom. 12:1-2). This will come with a price, but we must take up the cross to follow the Lord (Luke 9:23). The world will slander. The world will insult. The world will persecute. None of that should deter us from doing what is right. We must be more concerned with holiness than worldly acceptance.

2. Step up with the gospel (Rom. 1:16-17). The temptation is to make all of this a political response. We want to answer by political means, perhaps thinking that if we can “get the right person in office,” then our problems will be alleviated. This, however, will never be what fixes the problem of the world. Politics will always give us the ups and downs, and will never result in the salvation of souls. We need the gospel. Focus on that.

3. Step up with prayer. God’s desire is that all will come to a knowledge of the truth, so we need to pray to this end (1 Tim. 2:1-4). We also need to pray for boldness that God will use us to proclaim His message, and that we may lead lives that will point the way to Christ (cf. Col. 4:2-5).

Let’s bring the offer of God’s grace full force into this world. Let’s let our lights shine. Let’s be the salt God has called us to be (Matt. 5:13-16).

 

Other Articles by Doy Moyer 
Brotherly Love
Was Jesus Literally Forsaken?
Baptism and the Blood
The Problem With Creeds