SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1348

“Ahead of the Curve”

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. – Romans 12:2

During a military passing in review exercise a cadence is used to keep everyone synchronized in step and marching in unison. Someone who was consistently out of step was said to ‘March to the beat of a different drummer’.

Societal norms of behavior and beliefs are like a cadence designed to bring conformity and compliance. If conformity were to be plotted, it would form a bell curve with the peak as the defined normative behavior. Those who refuse to compromise and conform to societal normative pressures are said to be ‘ahead of the curve’. They are typically change-agents, leaders, and trend-setters, working to create a new norm.

What is deemed a norm in society is not necessarily normative in God’s Kingdom. Jesus ‘marched to the beat of a different drummer’ guided by the cadence of the Holy Spirit and was ‘ahead of the curve’ concerning societal norms about behaviors and beliefs. He exemplified and preached the new norm of the Truth of the Word of God.

I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” – John 18:37

A personal, born-again relationship with Jesus is not a norm in world society. Sadly, this is also true for many who claim to be Christians. The norm is to live primarily for this world and maybe occasionally dabble in religion and religious practices. They have the form of religion without the wisdom and relationship power of the abiding presence of Christ in their hearts. They are like the unprepared foolish virgins in Jesus’ parable teaching us to always be ready for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise… at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ …and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. – Matthew 25: 1-13

Jesus challenged the norms – He touched lepers, ate with sinners, and healed on the Sabbath – He was ahead of the curve, marching to the beat of a different drummer and was crucified for it.

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. – John 3:19

Jesus boldly spoke out against the norms that violated the Truth of the Word of God, pronouncing woes to those who sought to bring people into conformity with their false teaching. He then went on to define the new norm according to the Truth of God’s Word.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Woe to you, blind guides… – Matthew 23

You have heard…But I say to you… Murder, Adultery, Oaths, Retaliation, and Love for Enemies. – Matthew 5

The world norm banned church worship during Covid, yet many abortion clinics and bars were allowed to remain open.

The world norm embraces same sex marriage.

The world norm encourages sexual, transgender, and homosexual education for children.

The world norm ordains homosexual ministers.

The world norm embraces allowing a child to choose their own gender preference.

The world norm celebrates what God considers to be an abomination.

The world norm is to be entertained by media that celebrates sin in graphic word and action.

The world norm embraces the murder of babies as a woman’s right to choose.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness,

who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! – Isaiah 5:20

The world has a siren call that appeals to our flesh. It beats a cadence to conform us to many norms that violate the Truth of the Word of God. Is this the drumbeat you choose to march to?

Will you compromise and conform to the normative bell curve of the world, or will you stay ahead of the curve, following Jesus?

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; …Therefore, go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you – 2 Corinthians 6:14-17

May you follow Jesus wholeheartedly and walk according to the cadence of the Holy Spirit. May your life example in word and deed be witness to the new norm of the Truth of the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ.

Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. – Matthew 16:24