Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2 (NIV)
As Christ-followers we should be different from the world, but in reality, it can be uncomfortable to be a nonconformist. Yet, it is the only way for us to be able to test and approve “what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
Various translations shed even more light on this thought. J. B. Phillips puts it this way: “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold, but let God re-mold your minds from within.” Eugene Peterson in the Message tells us: “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God.”
A friend sent me an article referencing research by George Barna, who stated: ‘The data strongly suggests that evangelicals are more likely to be shaped by the culture around them than they are to influence or “evangelize” it.’
That is pretty discouraging news. If true, the culture is having a greater impact on the church than the church is having on the culture. If we have a mandate from Christ to make disciples, and we do, we had better figure some things out fast. If not, our mission will be a failure.
Our Chief Objective
My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you, Galatians 4:19 (NIV)
A major problem is that far too few believers understand God’s purpose for them. Mistakenly, we are all too often led to believe that the God’s goal for us is that we go to heaven when we die. As long as that happens, anything else is acceptable. Discipleship, and making disciples would be nice, but secondary to where we spend eternity.
Invitations and altar calls often fortify this misconception. Notice that Paul did not say that he was in the pains of childbirth until they reached heaven. No, he clearly understood that the objective is to have Christ in his life formed in us. Another translation says, “until Christ is fully developed in your lives.”
Is it any wonder that contemporary Christians are in danger of being shaped by this world’s culture and values, more than they are influencing the world and winning people for Christ? Until we are able to convey the crucial necessity of discipleship, we will continue to be molded and shaped by the world instead of being salt and light to those that need to know that there is a God in heaven that loves them.
We need to remember the old song: “To be like Jesus, all I ask is to be like him.”
Heart and Mind
And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them. I will take away their stony, stubborn heart and give them a tender, responsive heart, so they will obey my decrees and regulations. Then they will truly be my people, and I will be their God. Ezekiel 11:19–20 (NLT)
God is in the heart transplant business. He takes our old corrupt heart and replaces it with a new one that is responsive and tender toward him. It is an operation that only God can perform. We cannot get a new heart through our own efforts.
In contrast to receiving a new heart, we do not receive a new mind, but instead the Spirit of God renews our minds. Additionally, we participate in the renewal of our minds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. Colossians 3:10 (NLT).
Our participation includes the removal of the filthy garments, and the putting on of the new. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Romans 13:12 (NLT)
Paul goes on to say: Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Romans 13:13 (NLT)
So, instead of allowing the world to conform us to its pattern, when we put on the garments of righteousness, we stand with confidence and assurance even though there is darkness all around.
Don’t Be Fooled
Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2:8 (NLT)
As we are renewed in our minds, we will become sensitive and discerning between right and wrong. When our minds and our hearts are in alignment with Jesus Christ, we can avoid deception. There are things that sound right, even appealing to our sinful nature, but all the while pressure is being applied to us to conform to the ways of this world. They promise freedom, but they themselves are slaves of sin and corruption. For you are a slave to whatever controls you. 2 Peter 2:19 (NLT)
When we come to the realization that God wants us to be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29), and that salvation is about more than just going to heaven when we die, it is then that we become useful for the kingdom of God.
The world is constantly putting pressure on us to conform because darkness has no fellowship with the light. As we allow ourselves to be transformed by the Spirit of God, and renewed in our minds, we will be able to resist the pressure of this world, and standing in the full armor of God, we can be effective instruments.
We are not to be conformed to this world but transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Steve Ekeroth