I BESEECH YOU THEREFORE, BRETHREN, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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 12:1-2
Jesus Christ willingly submitted His body to the woeful agonies of the cross, despising the mockery and shame–all to deliver fallen man from the power of sin and save him from the hell-bound course and spirit of this world. Reasonable indeed is it then that we should present our bodies unto God.
We, who have experienced so great a salvation, have been transformed, renewed, having become new creatures. “Old things are passed away” and “all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17. Having experienced a radical change, we are no longer conformed to or fashioned according to the ways of this world, not because we must not, but because we desire not its ways, for “Whom the Son sets free, is free indeed”!
Observing much of churchianity today, though, one must conclude that there are many who have not regarded this apostolic command to not conform to this world. Their spirit and behaviour befit its ways. So much so, that sinners pay them little notice, there being no convincement by their manner of living, either in spirit or behaviour, to entice them to become a Christian. Sinners actually expect a high standard from those professing to be Christians. There are places they do not expect to see you and things they do not expect you to do.
God never meant for His gospel to be conformed to the customs and fashions of the unregenerate of any generation. Jesus poured out His life blood to transform us. Adam Clarke stated, “The word implies a radical, thorough, and universal change, both outward and inward. Now, having obtained new desires and habits, they can say with Apostle Paul, “What fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?” 2 Cor. 6:14.
“Be ye separate.” God still expects us to obey this command. This does not mean living in communes and shunning the unbelievers. We should show ourselves friendly and try to connect with people in the community, but since they seek their portion in this life, therefore there will be things they partake of that are inappropriate for Christians.
Romans 12:2 teaches us that the man of God is to prove the perfect will of God. Our actions, interests, and desires should all cry out, “I am not of this world! I have life more abundant in Christ!” These are the kind of people that honest souls are seeking to find, being weary and dissatisfied with what sin offered. And they are disillusioned with religion because of professors who live just like them!
Some feel the need to “rethink” church every couple of years, treating “every cultural change as an invitation to reinvent the wheel.” Being “relative” is one thing, but conforming to the customs and habits of the world is another. Brett McCracken wrote, “The problem is endemic in American evangelicalism. It is exhausting to read the scores of books that come out every year that provide a new paradigm or prescription for a revived church. One is tempted to become Catholic so as to avoid the nauseous glut of ‘The church must become _ to survive’ blog posts and book rants.” “The task of the church is to lead people to awe, wonder and worship without watering things down or constantly reinventing the wheel.” 1
“Know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.” James 4:4. These are strong words! Many denominations try to win the world by being more like the world. Such allegiance has been disastrous, for it is enmity with God. The narrow way cannot be broadened to accommodate those who still desire to conform to the world. The church and the world are polar opposites.
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.” 1 John 2:15.
It seems many do not consider that when people are really in pursuit of God, they have already lost interest in the pleasures and amusements of this world, and will have neither respect nor interest in a “church” that offers such.
Be not conformed to the customs and fashions of this world. Adam Clarke wrote: “The apostle warns them against reviving usages that Christ had abolished: this exhortation still continues in full force. The world that now is–this present state of things, is as much opposed to the spirit of genuine Christianity as the world then was. Pride, luxury, vanity, extravagance in dress, and riotous living, prevail now, as they did then, and are as unworthy of a Christian’s pursuit as they are injurious to his soul, and hateful in the sight of God.”
Over the past few years, there has been a large surge of young people, especially young men, seeking God and starting to attend churches. Having already been over-saturated with all of the pleasures of sin, emptiness echoes in their souls. The world has a glittering veneer, but its parties, games, recreation, shows, etc. can never fill the void in man’s heart. Many of these seekers are rejecting the charismatic groups with their loud, contemporary music, and repetitive praise choruses. They long for a more reverential, serious worship. For this, many are looking to more conservative groups or the Catholic Church.
This surging crowd of hungry souls is not seeking for status-quo, tepid religion. They want, they need, to see a demonstration–a proof–of the spirit and power of God in genuine Christians, those who are unworldly, otherworldly–people totally done with the world and its ways, that can sing: “Take the whole world, but give me Jesus”!
If they were to hear your music and your goings-on, would they be convinced that God is among you? Are you able to teach those earnestly desiring to understand the Bible? Would your conversations and spirit draw them to the presence of God for which they are longing?
If they were to witness your worship, would they be convinced of your supreme love for God, excitement for salvation, and disinterest for the pleasures and pursuits of this world? Would they hear your fervent prayers? Or would their search for God’s presence continue elsewhere?
A Christian’s very presence changes the atmosphere. I have witnessed this many times. Holiness is powerful. The glory of God in our midst is our only valid claim to being the church of the living God.
Right now, in this end time, God desires to pour out His Spirit more powerfully than ever before. This can only be upon a people who have set their affection on things above, being spoiled for the things of this world and who distain its paltry offerings.
Satan, in his great wrath and fury, will oppose all he can by any means, but God will prevail. His name shall be exalted among the nations as He works His purposes through those whose hearts are wholly given over to Him.
1] https://brettmccracken.com/blog/blog/2016/10/27/21-challenges-facing-the-21st-century-church
