Opposing the World

Romans
{12:1} 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.
{12:2} 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.


The will of God is good.
The will of God is acceptable.
The will of God is perfect.


Proving what the will of God is, is allowing our minds to be renewed and as our minds are renewed we are transformed. We are told not to be conformed to this world. We are told to present our bodies as a living sacrifice- holy, acceptable to God. We are encouranged by the mercy of God to do this, and it's all reasonable.


Alone we can't present ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. Only by the mercy of God can we do so. Only through the mercies of Christ Jesus our Savior.


We are told not to be conformed to the world.


What does it mean to be conformed to the world?

Dictionary Definition:

Conform -
1. To correspond in form or character; be similar.
2. To act or be in accord or agreement; comply. See synonyms at agree.
3. To act in accordance with current customs or modes. See synonyms at adapt.

Excerpted from The American Heritage® Dictionary


When we conform to the world we are similar to all those in the world. We act in accord, in agreement with the world, complying to the world's ways. We act in accordance with current customs or modes.


Do we do this? Do we conform to the world?


Are you different than those who conform? Are you a stranger to them? Do you stand out as opposed to worldly ways?


We are taught from a young age to conform to the world we live in. It doesn't matter what country you're from. Each country has it's own customs, it's own ways and they are worldy ways. There isn't a single country that isn't worldly unto itself. The world's ways dominate. Godly ways are the miniority making those who follow them strangers to the world.


We want to conform though, it's just easier, it's just right to us to fit in and not stand out.


Do you conform?


We need to ask ourselves this question. How much like the world are we? How much to we keep of the world and shun of God? Where does God fit in our lives. We cry out we have to conform to live and yet deep down inside do we believe that?


We are in the world, but we aren't to be of the world.


Jesus prayed to His Father, to God-


John
{17:15} I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
{17:16} They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.


We aren't to be taken out of the world.
We are to be kept from evil.
We aren't to be of the world.
Even as Christ wasn't of the world.


Be not conformed to this world.


By the Grace and Mercy of Christ we need to be His. We need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds in Him, through the Holy Spirit.


Is it easy? No. Is it possible? Only in Christ. When we try to conform on our own, when we attempt the renewing of our own minds, we fight a battle that is impossible and the weight of it overwhelms us completely bringing on despair. We need to grow ever closer to Christ. We need to grasp hold of His love, His mercy, ever laying hold of His mercy, seeking always to be closer to Him and his love.


We can't allow ourselves to forget that Jesus is our Savior, if we take our eyes off Jesus there is no hope.


When it might seem impossible to walk in the way of Christ we have to just remember He died for us! He lives for us and He will return for us, these are truths, these are facts and not fancy.


Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, we need to cry out to Jesus, cry out we believe, help our unbelief! We believe we would be His by His mercy and grace through the Holy Spirit.


Have mercy on us Lord! Mercy.


Amen.