Print this pageConformed or Transformed?
Elder Michael Green, Jr.
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. Romans 122.
The Word of God requires Christians to be different than the world around them. When a person is born again, it is as if the Holy Spirit takes up residence and starts remodeling! The hard, stony heart that once rebelled against the Almighty God is now quite firmly convicted of its sinful behavior. Now, that very same heart has a strong desire to do that which is pleasing unto the Heavenly Father. One excellent example of such a change is seen in the response of the multitude that witnessed Peter's preaching on the Day of Pentecost. Acts 2:37 states, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" There are some examples of men being cut to the heart, but you notice that these were pricked in their hearts. These men already had the Holy Spirit residing within them and a change had been wrought on the inside. They were already born again and had the ability to receive Peter's message that Jesus was both Lord and Christ (v.36). Therefore, the preached word pricked their hearts. It was meaningful to them and it moved them to action! They no longer desired to conform to the traditions and philosophies of the world, but had zeal to follow the commandments of God. This is the Christian transformation.
To conform means to follow a certain pattern. The Apostle Paul warns Christians not to follow the pattern of the world. What are some of the worldly patterns that we ought to avoid? The world teaches that there is no true right and wrong. Many believe that morality is subjective and everyone must come to his own conclusion about right and wrong. This is contrary to the teaching of the Bible. The Bible teaches an absolute truth! The most recognizable truth in the Word of God is the Ten Commandments. These are not the Ten Suggestions, but popular culture would have us believe they are not relevant today. This is the main reason there is such a push to remove all traces of this Biblical teaching from the public eye. We need to reject this moral ambivalence and seek the will of God.
Another pattern that the world conforms to is the idea that physical beauty and wealth are the most desirable characteristics in people. This philosophy has caused havoc amongst our families and young people. The world sets the unreasonable expectation that a person's worth is quantified by how they look or how much they own. Again, this is contrary to Biblical teaching. The ultimate example of this teaching is the physical appearance of our Savior, Jesus. Isaiah 53:2 describes Jesus as thus, "For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him." He had no physical beauty that people would be attracted to him. However, those who were poor, undone sinners came unto him in multitudes. He had no place to lay His head in this world, yet He declared that we have a home with Him in Heaven beyond this world!
There are numerous other examples that can be referenced. We are not to be conformed to the world but to be transformed. To transform something means that it undergoes an active change. When the Apostle Paul instructs us to be transformed, he is stating that we are to let what is already on the inside shine forth on the outside. This is very challenging in our modern times. Paul calls it a living sacrifice. Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for the salvation for His people on the cross. He paid our sin debt and secured our Heavenly home (Matthew 1:21). It is but a small thing for us to offer our bodies as a sacrifice of good works to His honor and glory.
How does transformation occur? It comes by studying the Bible regularly. The modern phrase, "Garbage In, Garbage Out" aptly describes our human minds. If we are filling our minds with worldly filth, worldly conformity will dominate our lives. Conversely, if our minds are regularly renewed with the principles and precepts of God's Word then this will be our outward walk. Later, Paul writes to the Philippian church, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." May we always desire to think on those things that are pleasing to God. As go our thoughts, so go our feet!