Do Not Be Conformed To This World 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Rom 12:1-2

Do Not Be Conformed To This World This instruction given to the saints at Rome is sorely needed by Christians today. We live in a world that subjects us to various pressures, calling upon us to “conform.” 2

Do Not Be Conformed To This World Because “every one else” dresses immodestly, uses vulgar language, is involved in the mad pursuit of material things, is intent on the things of this life that are pleasurable, etc., etc. Christians are under heavy temptation to do likewise. 3

Do Not Be Conformed To This World Be Transformed – The word “transformed is the Greek word “metamorphose” which means, “to change into another form, transfigure, transform.” 4

Do Not Be Conformed To This World Be Transformed – The metamorphosis is often illustrated in high school biology by the changing of a green worm into a butterfly. 5

Do Not Be Conformed To This World Be Transformed – The word is found only four times in the N.T. - Matt. 17:2; Mk 9:2; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18 6 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Matt 17:2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. Mk 9:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Rom 12:2 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor 3:18

Do Not Be Conformed To This World Be Transformed – It is used of Christ to describe His transfiguration - Matt. 17:2; Mk 9:2 As Christ was transformed into a divine radiance, Christians are to be transformed into the image of Him who created him - Col. 3: and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Matt 17:2 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. Mk 9:2

Do Not Be Conformed To This World 8 But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, 10 and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, 11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Col 3:8-11

Do Not Be Conformed To This World Be Transformed – It is used of Christ to describe His transfiguration - Matt. 17:2; Mk 9:2 As Christ was transformed into a divine radiance, Christians are to be transformed into the image of Him who created him - Col. 3:8- 11 It is a transformation from within, which exemplifies itself from without. 9

Do Not Be Conformed To This World Many Excuse Sin – Many excuse sin by saying: “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.” Paul wrote to those who were in Rome and told them to not do as the Romans do. They were to do as Christ would do - Eph 1:17 10 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, Eph 1:17

Do Not Be Conformed To This World Many Excuse Sin – No matter how popular and widespread sin and ungodliness may be, it doesn’t excuse it or make it more acceptable - Exo. 23:2 11 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice Exo 23:2.

Do Not Be Conformed To This World Deny The World - Titus 2:11-13 – Thus, Christians are called upon to deny ungodliness and worldly lust and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world. – This we must do, regardless of what those about us do - 1 Pet 1:14 12 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, Titus 2:11-13 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; 1 Pet 1:14

Do Not Be Conformed To This World Christians Are To Be Different - Matt. 5:14-16 – The life of the Christian is to be different - a pure, clean, wholesome kind of difference that others may see - 1 Jn 3:3; 2 Tim 2:22 – It’s sad, indeed, when our conduct can’t be distinguished from that of the worldly people around us. 13 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matt 5:14-16 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 1 Jn 3:3 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 2 Tim 2:22

Do Not Be Conformed To This World How about all of us? Are we careful to conduct ourselves correctly in all our relationships in life? Do we keep our lives clean and pure? Let us not be conformed to this world, but be transformed into the image of God - 2 Cor. 3:18 14

Do Not Be Conformed To This World 15 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor 3:18