Do Your Actions Say That Approval from a Quasi-Spiritual Group is More Important Than Jesus Is?

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways: by reason of whom the [Way of Truth] shall be evil spoken of. 2 Peter 1-2

Jesus paid a high price for us, knowing that He would be mocked, spat upon, betrayed and crucified, but He still went through all of that for us. He still went through it knowing that we might fall prey to the spiritual fads of society that could lead us astray. Fortunately, Jesus' death on the cross and resurrection from the dead has provided salvation for all who truly believe He's the Son of God, our Savior.

Are we so needy for the approval of others that we will leave our faith that we know is true to follow something that has the overtones of being spiritual? Sometimes these spiritual groups are really cults. I would think that our salvation and the salvation of our family is more important than being drawn into some quasi-spiritual group that mentions Jesus, but focuses more on the leaders of the church and their guidance.

But of Him ye are in Christ Jesus, Who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, he that glorieth, let Him glory in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

Do Your Actions Say that You Are Not Satisfied With the Way God Made You?

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:4-8

Wow! Where to start. This passage packs in a lot to be prayerful about! I think I'll focus on one thing at a time.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

What a place to start! Our TV's, Smart Phones, Movies, etc. fill our world with all types of visuals to encourage us to lust after having better bodies, more money, exclusive clothes, friends with the in-group, fancy cars and it goes on and on and on. They have groomed a society that is not satisfied with the way God has made us. Of course, it's to their advantage to do this, because they sell ads and we buy their products to try to be something that's virtually unattainable, although many of us try. 

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; 

If we know that God made us in His image, we are supposed to have moderation and self-restraint. If we lust after the things the media grooms us for to see us their products, are we really having the the self-restraint that God wanted for us? Are we really practicing patience and godliness to younger generations that look up to us as an example?

And to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:4-8

If we aren't focused so much on trying to be someone to impress others or maybe even ourselves, we might have more time and money to be more charitable to others. Are we focused on having the attributes that make us good examples of our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ?

Even every one that is called by My name: for I have created him for My glory, I have formed him: yea I have made him.  Isaiah 43:7

Do Your Actions Say That Compassion for the Plight of Refugees Is Beneath You?

And [Jesus] opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Matthew 5:2-5

Do we blame others for their predicament?  Do we say that it serves them right that they are refugees, because they don't have the same faith that we do? Do we ignore their grief for the loss of loved ones, homes, and safety and that their lives would be different if they were just Christians? Do we say that if only they would stand up for their rights they wouldn't have had to deal with this oppression?

If Jesus shows compassion to others, don't you think He would want us to have compassion , as well? If Jesus says the following about how we are treat our enemies, don't you think that He wants us to treat everyone with that same respect?

But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you: That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 5:44-45