Exploring What It Means to Stand Out and Be Transformed
Let’s talk about something that matters now more than ever: the idea of “not conforming.” What does that really mean for us in real, everyday life? You might have heard the phrase “Do not be conformed”—it comes from Romans 12 in the Bible, and it’s all about not blending in with the crowd just for the sake of fitting in. But there’s more to it, and it might just change the way you see your life and your faith.
What Does “Do Not Conform” Mean?
At its core, “not conforming” means not just going along with what everyone else is doing. It’s easy to slide into the ways, habits, and opinions of the world around us—often without even realizing it. Whether it’s at work, school, or in our communities, we all feel that pressure to adapt, blend in, and follow the trends.
But Romans 12:1-2 takes it a step further. It doesn’t just say “don’t fit in”—it actually urges us to bring our whole lives to God, every ordinary part: our sleeping, eating, working, and walking-around lives. It means saying, “God, here’s my everyday life. Help me use it for you.” When we do that, we start to see genuine change—not because we’re trying harder, but because God is working inside us. We’re changed from the inside out.
The Transforming Power of the Gospel
The change that the Bible talks about isn’t surface-level. It’s not just about looking different on the outside, but being transformed by the Holy Spirit on the inside. The Gospel—the message about Jesus—has the power to totally reshape how we think, what we value, and how we see ourselves and others. We stop copying the culture’s ideals and start letting God guide our choices.
We become better at noticing what God wants for us, instead of just doing what everyone else is doing. This is how we grow and mature, living lives that bring out the best in us and make us truly alive.
Discerning the Times
There’s another important piece: understanding the times we’re living in. In the Bible, the “sons of Issachar” were known for their ability to read the times and know what to do. That kind of spiritual discernment is important for us today, too.
Jesus even challenged the religious leaders of his day, saying they knew how to read the weather but couldn’t recognize what was happening right in front of them. In other words, it’s possible to miss what God is doing if we’re only focused on surface things. We need to pay attention—not just to what’s happening in the world, but to what God is doing in and around us.
The Real Meaning of Church
Finally, let’s talk about “church.” When most people hear that word, they think of a building, a denomination, or maybe a specific group of people. But in the Bible, “church” isn’t about politics, race, or even a physical location. It’s not about being a business or organization.
Instead, “church” means a community of people who are “called out”—set apart for a purpose. It’s about people who love God, who want to know Jesus, and who are following him together. This group has no boundaries: it crosses cultures, backgrounds, races, and nationalities. It’s not about fitting into the world’s molds, but about being part of something bigger and deeper.
Putting It All Together
So what does all this mean for you today? It means you don’t have to just go along with what everyone else is doing. You can live a life that’s different, not for the sake of being different, but because you’re letting God guide and transform you from the inside out. It means paying attention to what God is doing in the world, and being part of a family of faith that isn’t limited by buildings or boundaries.
Don’t be afraid to stand out. Let your life be a true reflection of the love, grace, and transforming power of God. That’s what it really means to not conform!
Don’t let the world, politics nor religion change you!
Minister A Francine Green – July 2025
afrancinegreen.com 