Transformed Women For Christ

Christians face a lot of intense pressure to give in to unbiblical practices. We are told to conform to the world or be labeled as unfashionable, bigots, racists, intolerant, outdated. We want Christianity to appeal to all generations, especially to the younger crowd and so we change how we dress, the words we speak, the music we play and we adapt our church lighting and technology and even our sermons and Bible studies.

We’ve conformed our Bible to our culture and yet that’s not growing our faith. Our relationship with Christ will grow our faith. We should be the influence to the world, not become influenced by the world.

We’re trying to grow the church, but we think of church as a building and we want more people in the building. Shouldn’t we rather be growing in our closeness to God? We should gain people to Christ not by trying to fit in with the latest TV show or fashion statement, but by standing out! Be uncool. Be different.

Lots of women in the Bible stand out. You probably think of Esther and her boldness. I’d like to share some lesser known women and how they made waves by being different.

Read Acts 16:11-15. “So putting out to sea from Troas, we sailed a straight course to Samothrace, and on the following day to Neapolis, and from there to Phillipi, which is a leading city of that district of Macedonia, a Roman colony. And we were staying in this city for some days. And on the day of Sabbath, we went outside the city gate beside the river, where we thought there was a place of prayer, and we sat down and spoke to the women assembled there. And a certain woman named Lydia from the city of Thyatira, a merchant dealing in purple cloth who showed reverence for God, was listening. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was being said by Paul. And after she was baptized, and her household, she urged us, saying, “If you consider me to be a believer in the Lord, come to my house and stay.” And she prevailed upon us.” Lexham English Bible

Lydia was a prominent business woman. She was a pillar in her community. Purple cloth was something only the wealthy could afford in these ancient times. Purple dye was used in the togas of Roman citizens to show social status. Senators wore a broad purple stripe, equestrians wore a slimmer stripe, and the emperor and his family wore togas entirely of purple. These were all people she could influence with her business dealings. With her being the first convert for her region, she was able to spread the good news to powerful and even more influential people. God used her and her skills, her gifts, to distribute His word, which was exactly Paul’s mission and exceedingly important considering his later imprisonment. Hosting Paul and his companions (Timothy and Silas) was a big deal in those days. Jews did not stay in the homes of non-Jewish people. Lydia was giving and all on her own accord. She was not asked. She offered. Her home was probably spacious, upper class and accommodating. Lydia’s gatherings eventually became the first Christian church in Phillipi. Her home was a safe place for believers to meet.

In Ephesians (4:28) Paul instructs us to distinguish ourselves by being a community of givers. We should have something to share with others. Lydia served the Lord by opening herself to new possibilities. She was a listener, a hostess, an influencer, an obedient servant.

You may not have prominence, high status, money, a spacious home or influence, so what can you do for the Lord? Let’s take a look at Anna.

Luke 2:36-38 “And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (she was advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and herself as a widow up to eighty-four years) who did not depart from the temple with fastings and prayers, serving night and day. And at that same hour she approached and began to give thanks to God, and to speak about him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.” Lexham English Bible

Joseph and Mary had taken the child, Jesus, to the temple and just experienced Simeon, who prophesied that Jesus was the salvation and light to the Gentiles, and here they are met with Anna. Anna approached Joseph and Mary and also praises the Lord and speaks of the redemption of Jerusalem. Women as prophets in these days was not as common, however, this particular case is even more rare. Anna could have remarried. Widows were the lowest social class, vulnerable, defenseless, weak in Jewish society. Anna had nothing but herself to give and she willingly gave it all. She is bold, outspoken, and genuine with her faith.

Anna and Lydia both show us how we cannot transform ourselves, but how God’s Spirit within us changes us, reshapes us, to reconcile us, in order that we become ambassadors for Christ.

2 Cor 5:20 “Therefore we are ambassadors on behalf of Christ, as if God were imploring you through us. We beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” Lexham English Bible

There are lots of different ways to serve God. God wants all kinds of people for every kind of service for the ultimate goal of redeeming His whole creation from the effects of sin. He desires to restore every nation to the blessings only He can grant.

How can you stand out and serve? Give what you have, your precious time without expecting anything in return, your ears to listen to others’ problems, your encouragement, empathy, volunteer. Servants are role models that inspire others. What do your actions tell others about your beliefs? What do your siblings or children see you doing when you are home? What do they see when you’re out in public?

I used to always ask myself, ‘Where do I fit in? Where do I belong?’ Now that I am saved, I know that as a child of God, as an ambassador of Christ, I am not supposed to fit in. I’m meant to stand out. Choose to be different. Stand out.