“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.”
””Do not conform” is difficult advice in a generation when crowd pressures have unconsciously conditioned our minds and feet to move to the rhythmic drumbeat of the status quo. Many voices and forces urge us to choose the path of least resistance, and bid us never to fight for an unpopular cause and never to be found in a pathetic minority’s of two or three.” -Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “Strength to Love”
As Christians, we have a mandate to be nonconformists. The Apostle Paul encouraged, “Be not conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
The Passion Translation says, “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.”
Years ago the phrase “if it feels good do it” was very popular. The truth is everything that feels good is not good for you. Can you imagine? If everyone just did what felt good?
Although we live in this world, we are not to be of this world. We should not copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform our minds into a new person by changing the way we think. We were created for His glory. We detract from His glory when we live like the world and follow the path the worlds follows.
Sadly, today it is difficult to tell a believer from an unbeliever. It appears the church spends much of it’s time trying to be culturally relevant, trying to blend in with what seems popular. Jesus didn’t care about being relevant to His culture. Cultural relevance may be more comfortable for a lot of us, but it’s contrary to the will of God.
Our loyalty as believers is to the King of Kings and His Kingdom. “We are called to be people of conviction, not conformity; of moral nobility, not social respectability.” – Martin Luther King, Jr. We are commanded to live differently and according to a higher loyalty and standard.
Philippians 3:20-21 The Passion Translation (TPT) says, ”But we are a colony of heaven on earth as we cling tightly to our life-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our humble bodies and transfigure us into the identical likeness of his glorified body. And using his matchless power, he continually subdues everything to himself. Jesus is returning soon not for a culturally relevant bride, but for one that has stood the test of time and not tainted by the world.
Blessings,
Dr. Francine is an ordained minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She is the author of Daughter of the King: Possessing Your Spiritual Inheritance. She hosts a broadcast called “Going Beyond Church” on Facebook. You can connect with Dr. Francine on Facebook at @afrancinegreen as well as on Twitter @beyond_2017. Visit her website at http://www.afrancinegreen.com.
BEYOND CHURCH WALLS 