Unsaved or saved, I think we all have idols in our lives, at least to some degree.

I’ll be the first to admit that I idolize happiness and I think those around me would agree.

As noble as it may sound to idolize happiness, in the eyes of God it is dead wrong.

It is especially wrong if our happiness is derived from doing anything that goes against God’s word.

So, yes, at least to some degree I am guilty of idolizing happiness.

There is another idol that I want to point out that many of those who surrounded me whilst growing up had.

That idol is conformity. And it is rampant among middle-class members of Generation Jones, in other words, Baby Boomers born between 1954 and 1964.

That subdivision of Boomers is known as Generation Jones because they were born when conformity was most idolized. This era was the time of “keeping up with the Jones.”

The idea of keeping up with the Jones was and still is conformity at its worst.

Just about all of the adults that surrounded me while growing up were members of this generational subdivision and it is now abundantly clear to me that they all idolized and still do idolize conformity. They strived to be like everyone around them and attain a useful higher education or skill, perform a meaningful career that pays enough to sustain a middle-class lifestyle, obtain home ownership, excessively shelter their children (they will always choose safety over freedom), be completely self-sufficient and mercilessly shame those who are not (because they feel the need to look down on others to feel better for what is missing in their own lives) and to not rock the boat at all. Furthermore, to not risk criminal charges, because that could disrupt their precious lifestyle indefinitely, they overlooked much wrong that was done to them both by the government and lawless citizens. They also feverishly taught their young to not associate with anyone who doesn’t espouse this lifestyle.

They put so much into their seemingly secure lifestyle and are willing to sacrifice everything, possibly even eternity, to keep it going.

In worldly terms, this is fine, actually more than fine as there still is a considerable group of people who live this lifestyle.

The people I am describing all were roman Catholics, with varying degrees of piety.

Please see the post “Why I am no longer a roman catholic.”

I will say that even the most pious roman Catholics are more into religion than an actual loving relationship with the Creator of the universe. They are more motivated by fear of going to hell than loving and being loved by Someone Who loves them more than anyone else ever has or will.

I know this post will rub some the wrong way, but I am writing it for the love of God and the love of my fellow man, whether it seems that way or not.

I believe God told me to write this piece and some of it has been on my heart and mind since about 2019. Today is January 6, 2023.

So yes, living a lifestyle that is one of conformity and the American dream will indeed give great things in this life.

But what about eternity?

I would dare say that very few of the people that come to my mind when writing this piece are indeed Born Again and that is the only requirement to be saved eternally from hell! I’ll even say that those in this group of people who are Born Again are also double-minded, one foot in the Kingdom, one foot in the world. See James 1:8.

These people are very religious. I’m not sure if it is to salve their consciences or if they genuinely get something out of regularly going to mass, saying rosaries, praying novenas, and any other catholic ritual.

And yes sometimes their prayers are answered, I will admit that.

But how often do they share the Good News of Jesus Christ? They won’t because they are afraid of angering others and maybe even somehow losing their place in this life.

It’s all about playing it safe and not testing the waters.

For fear of the unknown, they keep their mouths shut but at what cost?

I will admit that I am lax about this as well, but I try to whenever I am able and I need to share this Precious Truth more often.

I’ve never heard most of them talk about the need to be born again, except one person, one time and it was after I had faced a huge crisis. I think I can safely say though that the person who led me to Christ thinks I now take my faith in Christ too far! The person who led me to Christ, just wanted me to accept Christ as my Lord and Savior, then, afterward, keep quiet and not rock the boat at all. However, I was taught something else in just about every church I attended since.

The truth is people’s souls are at stake here!

Oh but these people who idolize conformity:

How often do they cry out to God earnestly when met with trouble instead of just reciting a vain repetition on a string of beads? Hardly ever!

They don’t rely on God for any provision nor do they often acknowledge Him for what they have. They can use their financial assets or connections to carry them through life or bail them out of just about any situation!

Because of that, they don’t realize how much they need God, yet He still wants them tremendously and might I add He does not need them?!

I know this is offensive. This is probably one of the most offensive pieces I ever wrote, but I feel as if God is telling me to write it.

My job is simply to present this information.

It is The Holy Ghost’s Job to convict of sin.

It is God’s job to judge.

Might I also add that Jesus Christ did His job to rescue us frail, fallen humanity from our sinful state so that we may have eternal life? He was tortured and ultimately shed his Precious Blood to accomplish this!

Christ commands us to be different from those around us!

He has the very right to command that or anything else of us because of What He paid.

As written in 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light”

This applies to all who are Born Again and is meant to show the stark comparison between God’s Children (Born Again Christians) and the world (everyone else.)

Click Here if you wish to be Born Again.

I will leave you with what the Apostle Paul, wrote and it can be the theme of this entire piece it is from Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

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