"If You Can't Beat Em', Don't Join Em'"

 The phrase ““If you can’t beat em’, join em’’” 

has been around at least as long as the 1930’s, and has been used as a slogan for any number of decisions from the political figure we voted on, 

the places we shop, and even the sports team 

we root for. 

Early last summer, I publicly switched from being a Mariners fan to a Yankees fan. 

I wasn’t exactly ready to be a Yankees fan, but I was tired of the Mariners way of losing year after year, so I switched. I was instantly rewarded with a “World Series” experience, and even though they loss, they at least made it there.

(Something the Mariners had never done and sadly missed out on this year). 

In some cases, it may be the better option to join the “winning” side (i.e. a team I root for), but not in every case. In my mind, the first part of Romans 12:2 shares an instance of not “joining the winning side.”

 It says “Do not be conformed to this world…” 

Conform: means to form according to a pattern or mold, to fashion alike, to conform to the same pattern outwardly. This can be seen everywhere from the way I dress, to what I say, and even how I spend my weekends with my friends.

This is exactly what the world is looking for from you, to conform to its standards…

“you can’t beat em’, so join em.” 

And if you do, Jesus says “it (the world) will love you as its own.” (John 15:19) 

The world is not interested in a living breathing, walking conscience (you living out God’s Word).

 It wants to feel like everything is ok because everyone is doing the same thing. 

In the world of sports for example, why not keep the phrase

“If you can’t beat em’, join em’’” 

close to yourself (Go Blue Jays in my case, perhaps the Dodgers for you). 

It really doesn’t matter. 

When it comes to how you live out your Christian faith, 

the better thought to keep in mind is 

“If you can’t beat em’, don’t join em’’”. 

That’s the stand God is calling us to make, 

and the choice to live by.

 Pastor Josh