Conformity in Religion
By Mark Larson
www.cvillechurch.com
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2, NASB). To be “conformed” is to be made similar or like someone or something in form or character and in behavior and opinion. Therefore, the word of God is instructing us not to allow the world to shape us into its own image or likeness.
There is a great temptation to be like the world. When most people of the world considers a certain behavior morally or socially acceptable (e.g., “drinking parties” – 1 Pet. 4:3) or popular (e.g., wearing immodest clothing – 1 Tim. 2:9), there is a strong desire to behave in the same way in order to fit in. However, just because a belief or practice is popular or accepted by society doesn’t make it right! In fact, following the popular path may instead lead to eternal destruction: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Mat. 7:13-14).
The world makes every effort it can to get us to conform to its ways. Through the news media, television shows, advertisements, movies, magazines, books, Internet, etc. the world can have a profound affect on our way of thinking and behavior. Without even realizing it, many people have conformed to the world and have allowed the world to determine their standard of morality and lifestyle.
In religion, many churches have allowed themselves to be conformed to this world. Churches often make changes in order to keep in step with the world, instead of influencing the world to make changes for God according to the Scriptures. Rather than succumb to this temptation and fail to be distinct as a church of Christ, we must “… prove [ourselves] to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [we] appear as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). Any change that a local church makes should be done because God’s word prescribes it, not because the world demands it: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col. 3:17).
Conformity in religion that is in agreement with the world is not the religion of the Lord!
“Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Every Christian and every local church must determine not to allow the world to define for them what to believe, teach, or practice. God’s instructions concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage (Mat. 19:4-6, 9), homosexual behavior (Rom. 1:26-27), or abortion (Ps. 139 / Rom. 13:9), for example, should not be discarded to appease the world. The New Testament pattern for the work and worship of the church should not be compromised in order to attract people of the world to Christ (Phil. 4:15; Eph. 4:16 / Acts 20:32; Acts 11:29-30 / 1 Tim. 5:16; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Eph. 5:16; etc.).
Christians must be resolved that they will not be conformed to this world, but instead be “transformed by the renewing of [their] mind” (Rom. 12:2). As we study from the Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15), fill ourselves with the “knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col. 1:9), and apply the word of God to our lives (James 1:25), we will renew our way of thinking for the better. Instead of being captivated by worldly advice (Col. 2:8), we will know exactly what the will of God is, “that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).
In due time, our lives will be “transformed” (from metamorphosis) or changed for God so that we may serve Him acceptably. We will be able “to present [our] body a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual service of worship” (Rom. 12:1). As God’s children, let us continue to be his special and distinct people of holiness (1 Pet. 1:14-16; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1) and be not conformed, but transformed!
www.cvillechurch.com
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2, NASB). To be “conformed” is to be made similar or like someone or something in form or character and in behavior and opinion. Therefore, the word of God is instructing us not to allow the world to shape us into its own image or likeness.
There is a great temptation to be like the world. When most people of the world considers a certain behavior morally or socially acceptable (e.g., “drinking parties” – 1 Pet. 4:3) or popular (e.g., wearing immodest clothing – 1 Tim. 2:9), there is a strong desire to behave in the same way in order to fit in. However, just because a belief or practice is popular or accepted by society doesn’t make it right! In fact, following the popular path may instead lead to eternal destruction: “Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it” (Mat. 7:13-14).
The world makes every effort it can to get us to conform to its ways. Through the news media, television shows, advertisements, movies, magazines, books, Internet, etc. the world can have a profound affect on our way of thinking and behavior. Without even realizing it, many people have conformed to the world and have allowed the world to determine their standard of morality and lifestyle.
In religion, many churches have allowed themselves to be conformed to this world. Churches often make changes in order to keep in step with the world, instead of influencing the world to make changes for God according to the Scriptures. Rather than succumb to this temptation and fail to be distinct as a church of Christ, we must “… prove [ourselves] to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [we] appear as lights in the world” (Phil. 2:15). Any change that a local church makes should be done because God’s word prescribes it, not because the world demands it: “And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father” (Col. 3:17).
Conformity in religion that is in agreement with the world is not the religion of the Lord!
“Do not love the world, nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15). Every Christian and every local church must determine not to allow the world to define for them what to believe, teach, or practice. God’s instructions concerning marriage, divorce, and remarriage (Mat. 19:4-6, 9), homosexual behavior (Rom. 1:26-27), or abortion (Ps. 139 / Rom. 13:9), for example, should not be discarded to appease the world. The New Testament pattern for the work and worship of the church should not be compromised in order to attract people of the world to Christ (Phil. 4:15; Eph. 4:16 / Acts 20:32; Acts 11:29-30 / 1 Tim. 5:16; Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Cor. 16:1-2; Eph. 5:16; etc.).
Christians must be resolved that they will not be conformed to this world, but instead be “transformed by the renewing of [their] mind” (Rom. 12:2). As we study from the Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15), fill ourselves with the “knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Col. 1:9), and apply the word of God to our lives (James 1:25), we will renew our way of thinking for the better. Instead of being captivated by worldly advice (Col. 2:8), we will know exactly what the will of God is, “that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom. 12:2).
In due time, our lives will be “transformed” (from metamorphosis) or changed for God so that we may serve Him acceptably. We will be able “to present [our] body a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is [our] spiritual service of worship” (Rom. 12:1). As God’s children, let us continue to be his special and distinct people of holiness (1 Pet. 1:14-16; 2 Cor. 6:14-7:1) and be not conformed, but transformed!
posted by Mark E Larson | 2:00 PM
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