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 12:2 KJV
Two key words in today's extract: 'conform' means to 'comply with rules, standards, or laws.' Or to "behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards." To follow convention, be conventional, follow tradition, follow custom, fit in, adapt, adjust, follow the crowd, run with the pack, swim with the stream". The other word is 'transform' which means "to make a marked change in the form, nature, or appearance of something or someone". These are dictionary definitions, but with a message for us today.
No matter what you think, you cannot be neutral. Both definitions require an adjustment. The world has a pattern, a way of doing things. For me to live by the world's standards, it takes nothing from me. I can fit in, adapt, adjust and follow the crowd. The sinful nature in me makes it even easier.
But when I seek transformation, the power for this is not the conventional and the usual. In fact, today's extract states how the transformation can occur. It starts with my inner man, and reflects on the outer man. When my mind is renewed, it changes my thinking, my behaviour pattern, my attitude and my life. That power comes only from God; nothing else can supply that kind of power. It is a continuous process; if I stop feeding my spirit man with the right contents, I am giving my regular, sinful old man the power to take over again. As I feed the inner man, I discover God's purpose and can pursue it with all my heart.
So, the choice is clear: both the old man and the new man are in a battle for control. I can only discover what God desires for me when my mind is transformed by his power into what he can use, speak to and impact. If I am unteachable or already conformed to the world's standards, then I cannot fit into his plan. Eternity as always is at stake. His time of favour is here.
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