DO NOT CONFORM TO THE WORLD

PROCLAMATION

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true and proper worship.  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.”  Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by the Apostle Paul in his letter to the believers in Rome.  Here Paul encourages the believers to live a different life than the people around them.  He wanted them to live in a manner that was pleasing to God.  He wanted them to refresh their mind with The Word of God.  He ended this chapter by telling them not to repay evil for evil. (Romans 12:17)  Vengeance belongs to The Lord God and He will repay those who have wronged them. (Romans 12:19)  They were to treat their enemies with kindness, and The Lord God would deal with them. (Romans 12:20)

 

APPLICATION

As believers we are to behave and conduct ourselves in a Christ-like manner.  Just as Christ was, we are in this world but not of it. (John 8:23)  We are to act differently from the unsaved people of the world.  We are not to act pious or put on a false perfect face.  We are to let the light of Christ which is within us shine so that the world can see The Christ in us. (Matthew 5:16)  We need to renew our mind daily with The Word of God.  Do not think that you know The Bible so well that you don’t have to reread it.  Humble yourself, (Romans 12:3) the more you read it, the more you will get out of it, especially if you pray first.