Conforming and Transforming

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (Ro. 12:2 KJV).

The Apostle Paul starts this chapter in Romans with the words, "I beseech you." He is literally begging the believers of the Roman church, and consequently believers of our time, to present themselves a holy, living sacrifice to God. It's our reasonable service as Christian believers.

Paul then follows with the text of Romans 12:2. What does it mean to not be conformed to this world? The Amplified answers this question clearly. "Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs]. To quote a local radio preacher, "Let the Bible speak."

What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of our mind? This word transformed literally means changed. Paul is telling believers to not conform to their culture, (whoops) world, but to change from it.

Change is always a hot topic in politics. We all wanted change in the 2008 American presidential election. Change will be a hot topic again for the 2010 American congressional election. The politicians can preach change, but the preacher of the Gospel shouldn't?

Why is change an extremely dirty word when used to describe Christian conversion? Even the Amplified Bible defines this word transformed as changed. We want the benefits of salvation, but we also want the pleasure of satisfying the desires of our flesh with the vices of this world.

How then are we to be transformed, changed? This change takes place by the renewing of our minds. What is renewing the mind? The Amplified Bible answers this question quite well also, "but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideas and its new attitude]."

The transformation of Christian conversion takes place because the thought process is transformed. New, pure thoughts are introduced. Old attitudes are replaced by new ones. This transformation happens when we put on Christ. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2Co. 5:17 KJV)."

The Bible is very clear that change must take place when one puts on Christ. Paul wrote the words of Romans 12:2 to the church, not to the unbelieving world. Believers are to be different than unbelievers. Our thoughts, our ideas, and our attitudes are supposed to be different than the unbelievers.

I've heard the argument all my life the change is to be internal. Who and what you are on the inside will manifest itself on the outside. Can you imagine Christ doing some of the things we do today without batting an eye? Yea, I know, we live in a different culture.

Conforming and transforming. It's simple. How can we be transformed into the likeness of Christ (that is what the word Christian means) and still be conformed to our culture, (whoops) excuse me, world? Just my thoughts for today. God bless...