Romans 12:2 KJV
[2] 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.
Paul was writing to the church in Rome, with an emphasis on the right standards for living for those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Saviour. There has to be a remarkable difference between the old and the new. It may not be a dramatic conversion experience like Saul himself, but there will be a conviction of an inner work done, which will then be made manifest on the outside. This is the focus of the verse above. There are two key words in the verse above, and these are: 'conform' and 'transform'. As we can see, both are different kinds of forms, and we all must fit into one of the forms, either by nature or by deliberate decision. There is no form that sits on the fence of indecision; you do not get away with being none at all. Being born into sin means that I will naturally be conformed to the nature of sin. All of us born of women have this nature, and unless the other form is adopted, the end of this conformity is eternal death.
Just to be sure, 'conform' means to 'be similar in form or type; agree' or 'the process whereby people change their beliefs, attitudes, actions, or perceptions to more closely match those held by groups to which they belong or want to belong or by groups whose approval they desire'. Do we see the pattern or actions that drive conformity? When you seek the approval of a group or a system that you want to belong to, there is nothing you will not sacrifice in that quest. If you asked to do the abominable sometimes, you may do it. That is the price of seeking to conform. To be 'transformed' is to 'make a marked change in the form, nature, or appearance of' or 'to undergo a marked change'. Transformation is to change the form of something; you go to the root of desires, vision, pursuits and priorities, and change the foundation. This goes beyond changing the external; you just change the inner contents; the external will definitely be impacted.
That is the work that God wants to do in me. He cannot use the old nature I was born with, because that nature can never be brought under the control and influence of the Holy Spirit. That is why a new nature is what is formed in me, when I surrender my life to Jesus. The counsel in the verse above has been true since it was made, and it continues to be true till today: I must allow God work in me that which He can use for His glory. What is the use of a nature that will deny me eternal life with God? What is the use of a nature that is only good for this earthly phase, and cannot be raptured? As the verse above makes clear, I need to know the good, acceptable, perfect will of God, and I have a role to play: it is only by total surrender and submission to God that this will happen. God is the only One who can do a work in me that will lead to His perfect will. Remember: God does not force Himself on anyone, and He will not go against the exercise of my freewill. Would you surrender to Him? God's time of favour is here
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