Not Conformed,Transformed
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
- Romans 12:2
Conformed means to be like—in this case, like the world. But God is not calling us to be compliant with prevailing standards of the day. 2 Corinthians 6:17 tells us to “…come out from among them and be separate…” We are to be “…a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession…” (1 Peter 2:9), and we cannot do that if we are busy trying to fit in with popular culture. The Kingdom of God is mutually exclusive and diametrically opposed to the kingdoms of this world. We must live to a higher standard based on the Word of God. In Leviticus 11:44, God commanded the Israelites to, “…be holy, for I am holy.” Holy living involves more than just a list of dos and don’ts – holy living is a life that is wholly submitted to Christ.
On the other hand, transformed means to be different—again, in this case, to be different than the world. Something that has been transformed must have noticeable changes in character, conduct, and even appearance. For believers, holy living should be evident in the way we live, conduct our business, and treat other people. This transformation is a process that begins when we repent and believe in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. But it doesn’t end there. The renewing of our minds continues throughout our lives.
We change the way we act by changing the way we think. We change the way we think by receiving different information. A believer has a source of information that has the power to enable them to think and act differently than they did before they were saved. That source of information is the Bible— God’s Word. Transformed people are those whose minds have been adjusted to come in agreement with God’s Word. Then we can become more mindful of the kingdom of God of which we are now a part, instead of always thinking about the kingdoms of the world out of which we have been called. Then we will be positioned to “prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Lord, please enlighten my mind with truth, inflame my heart with love, inspire my will with courage, enrich my life with service. Pardon what I have been, sanctify what I am, and order what I shall be. Amen
Further Reading
- Romans 12:2
- 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5
- 2 Corinthians 6:17
- 1 Peter 2:9
- Leviticus 11:44
