Wrestling Again

My Christian walk as of late has felt like what sometimes happens when I crochet. I'm going along fine, and then there's a huge knot that I have to untangle before I can move on. I just get going again, and another knot pops out of the skein. Lately, my "knot" has centered a lot on Romans 12:1-2 and exactly what it means to be separate from the world. When I hit a "knot" I tend to withdraw to think and pray about things. I posted much of this on a private, Bible study blog that I participate in:




What I have been wrestling with lately has to do with being set-apart from the rest of the world and exactly what that looks like in the life of a God-fearing Christian. The verses that come to mind are Romans 12: 1-2 (NKJV):

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." 

When I think of those verses, I think of conviction - conviction to live a holy life, a life that does not reflect the world and its values. The problem is that I am having a hard time discerning where living a holy life ends and slipping into legalism begins. Having grown up in a legalistic denomination, I am somewhat predisposed to wanting to check off the proverbial "boxes," so I tend to question where convictions are coming from (Am I feeling convicted to do/not do ____ because that's what God wants or because that is what I think that "good Christians" are supposed to do/not do?). Also, how separate is separate?


The area of Pennsylvania in which I grew up is a mere 2 or so hours from Amish country. You wanna talk about separate from the world? They fit the bill - no electricity (New Order Amish will use batteries though, I believe), no cars, clothing restrictions, etc. I also know of many people who profess to be Christians who look a whole lot like the rest of the world with regard to their words, actions, and lifestyle choices (cussing, partying, skimpy clothing, living with a boyfriend/girlfriend before marriage, etc.).  It seems to me that so many people have so many differing convictions, it's hard to tell what we should be doing or not doing. Where on that continuum are we supposed to be in order to be pleasing to God? Other than the basics (going to church, praying, reading the Bible), what are the lives, words, actions, appearances, etc. of Christians supposed to be like in order to be "separate from the world" from God's standpoint? 


I apologize if anyone finds this post to be rambling or circuitous in nature. I've been going 'round and 'round on this "knot," but it is still not worked out yet.