The call to reject normalcy

In Philemon, Philippians, Titus and Ephesians, Paul is directly speaking against the norms of the societies in which the churches reside.  Philemon is called to forgive and accept his runaway slave as a brother in a society built on a strict master/slave system.  The Philippians are self-made people, hardened by battle and used to the notion of victory through power.  Paul continually directs them towards living a life of humility and service.  The Cretans are a people known for being crude and excessive in their search of pleasure.  The theme found in Titus is living self-controlled, godly lives.  The town of Ephesus was a religious disney land where one could find any ride to suit their spiritual fancy.  Paul poetically describes the believers identity in Christ and instructs them to live by new standards. 

It seems that this counter-cultural set of beliefs is crucial to understand as a follow of Christ.  When Jesus beckoned his disciples to follow him, he required that they leave everything else behind and separate themselves from the society as a whole.  This call is revolutionary and conflicts with our preconceived notions of what our lives should look like, but it is the only path to abundant life.