Don't be a Fence Straddler

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Don’t be a Fence Straddler

 

We all know what a fence straddler is. It’s someone who wants to have his cake and eat it too. They want to have eternal life, but they don’t want to leave the pleasures of this world behind. There are a lot of fence straddlers who congregate with the Lord’s Church. Most of these fence straddlers come to worship on Sunday, and sin all week long. They want to serve Jesus, but they also want to continue to sin and to love and be loved by the  world. It doesn't work like this. In order to be pleasing to Christ, we must repent and decide to stop sinning. Repentance is a requirement for salvation.

II Corinthians 7: 10

Luke 13: 3

 

Paul tells us that it is very important that we do not allow ourselves to become conformed to this world. 

Romans 12: 1 - 2

 

Let’s examine conformity. What does the word conformed mean to you? Is it just a word that we quickly glance over? How does it relate to your daily living?

 

We need to be very familiar with the concept of conformity. This is not just to understand what Paul is saying, but because this word plays a very important role in our lives as a Christian. 

 

In order to properly apply the exhortation of Paul, today we are going to study the concept of conformity.

 

First, we need a proper definition of conformity. To conform means to follow another’s pattern. It is the desire to be like someone else. It is the desire to do what they do, say what they say, or wear what they wear. So simply put, a conformist is someone who is afraid to be different and feels a need to be like everyone else. This is like the Israelites in Elijah’s days. 

I Kings 18: 21

 

The people around Elijah on Mount Carmel were fence straddlers who answered him not a word. They didn't say we believe the God of Elijah is God. They didn't say we believe that Baal the god of Jezebel is God. These fence straddlers are like many who claim to be Christians today, who are silent about choosing between Jesus or the devil. When you preach to these fence straddlers you can't even get an expression out of them.

 

There is tremendous pressure in our society today for people to conform to the standards of the group. Young people feel the pressure to conform in their clothing, their lifestyles, and other things. Even adults feel a need to conform. That’s why you see so many people wearing masks. It’s peer pressure. They don’t want to be different. They don’t want to stand apart. They want to be like everyone else. 

 

The pressure to conform is often strongest during our younger years. The young often have low-esteem. They desperately want to be accepted and loved by others. Advertisers often complicate the problem by trying to market and sell their products to young people. They do this by making it seem like if you don’t buy their products, you don’t fit into society. 

 

Conformity is a dangerous thing. It can easily lead you to do things you know are wrong. When others follow suit, the pressure to conform is great. Ridicule to conform is often applied. Once you give in, the next time conformity is easier

 

Conformity to the things of this world can separate us from God.

I John 2:15-17

 

It does this when we give in to the lust of the flesh, which is immorality.

 

It does this when we give in to the lust of the eyes, which is materialism. 

 

It does this when we give in to the pride of life, which is arrogance. 

 

This is why Paul commands us to not be conformed to this world. There are serious dangers in conforming to another’s pattern.

 

So how can we deal with the pressures of conformity and make sure we are not straddling the fence? Well first, we should strive to be a transformist, not a conformist. Remember a conformist is someone who tries to straddle the fence. They want to be Christians, but they want to be accepted and loved by the world too. 

 

A transformist is one who experiences a true renewal. That begins with conversion. 

Titus 3: 5

 

This conversion involves a renewal of the mind. That renewal continues as we go through life.

II Corinthians 4: 16

 

Becoming a transformist helps us deal with the reasons why many conform. They conform out of a feeling of insecurity. By being transformed, we learn that God loves us and that we are special.

I John 3: 1

 

They conform out of a  desire to follow the crowd. Being transformed, we learn the ultimate end of following the world.

I John 2: 17

 

Transformation marks the difference between Christians who are truly converted, and those who are shallow imitators of true disciples and want to be fence straddlers. 

 

A transformist is a leader who proves to others what is good, acceptable and perfect. They present their bodies as living and holy sacrifices, and have the courage to say no to things that are wrong. Their example helps others fight off the pressures to conform by giving them the strength to say no and encouraging them to do what is right. Joshua was a transformer.

Joshua 24: 14 - 15

Judges 2: 7

 

A conformist is nothing but a simple follower, letting others do their thinking for them and lead them into harm's way. They want to straddle the fence and not be zealous for God. They don’t want to make anyone mad by confronting them with their need to obey the Gospel. They don’t want to make anyone mad by not going along with them. They are like the Laoidicians. 

Revelation 3: 15 - 16

 

Fence straddlers may think they are spiritually fine, but as we have just read, they are not. 

 

Everyone experiences the pressure to conform to the standards and practices of the world. This is true of the young, who are still impressionable. It’s also true of the older, who are persuaded by those in positions of power and influence. 

 

We do have a choice. We can either buckle under and be led by those destroying their own bodies, minds, and souls. Or we can  look to Jesus, the true nonconformist, and allow ourselves to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. 

 

What we must do instead of conforming to the world,  is to conform to the image of our Savior.

Romans 8: 29

 

That requires a true transformation of the inner man, and we can demonstrate what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. Don’t be someone who tries to keep one leg in Christ and one leg in the world. As far as God is concerned, those folks have both legs in the world and none in Christ. Turn truly and wholelly to Christ and be transformed.