Do not be conformed to
this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by
testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:2 ESV
When I was a teenager I was
labeled a non-conformist by my High school principle. He did this
because I balked at all authority. Balking at authority is not what
Paul is speaking of in this passage. Paul is saying that Christians
are not to be conformed to the ways of the world. They are not to
indulge in all the sinful ways of the world. As christians we are a
called out people. That means to be called out of the world. Not
physically, but spiritually called out of the world.
He then goes on to explain
we are to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. As Christians we
are being renewed. As we come under the influence of the scriptures
and we learn a different way to live, we are renewed in our thinking.
Our minds are changed. We will be tested and when we're tested we
need to lean on our new understanding of life to help us live in the
right way.
The bible tells us all we
need to know about what is good, acceptable and perfect in God's
sight. When we read the Gospels we see all of these things lived out
in the life of Jesus. When we look to the remainder of the New
Testament teachings of the Apostles, we find the instructions we need
to live this new life out before the world. Everything we need to be
transformed is within the pages of our bible. We just need to apply
it to our lives.
All Scripture is breathed
out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction,
and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be
complete, equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16,17 ESV
© 2012 Leo J. Woodman
