Choosing Not to Conform -
Part 2
BGEA
This is the second part
of the article begun last week, if you wish to read it
in its entirety please refer to last week’s bulletin for Part 1.
First, we must not be
conformed to this world mentally. The world—by its advertisements, its
conversation and its philosophy—is engaged in a gigantic brainwashing task.
Much entertainment is slanted to those who feed on violence, sex and
lawlessness. It seems that some diabolic mastermind is running the affairs of
this world and that his chief objective is to brainwash Christians and to get
them to conform to this world. The world’s sewage system threatens to
contaminate the Christian’s thought. Satan will contest every hour you spend in
Bible reading or prayer.
However, above the din we
can hear the voice of Scripture: “Let this mind be in you which was also in
Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). And: “Be transformed by the renewing of your
mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of
God” (Romans 12:2).
Second, we must not
conform to the world physically. These bodies of ours are intended to be
temples of the Spirit of God. We are not to prostrate them before the temples
of Baal. We are to present them wholly to God as a “living sacrifice.” Our
dress, our posture and our actions should all be for the honor and glory of
Christ.
Third, we must not
conform to the world socially. The world attempts to absorb us into its secular
society and to conform us to its earthly image, but Christ urges us not to
conform. Clearly He says of those who believe in Him, “They are not of the
world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:16).
Jesus dined with
publicans and sinners, but He did not allow the social group to conform Him to
its ways. He seized every opportunity to present a spiritual truth and to lead
souls from death to life. Our social contacts should not only be pleasant, they
should be opportunities to share our faith with those who do not yet know Christ.
Fourth, we must not
conform to the world spiritually. We are not to be conformed to the world’s
definition of what it means to be religious, but we are to make sure we have
met God’s requirements for discipleship.
No nation was ever more
religious than Israel in the Prophet Isaiah’s day. The Temple was filled. The
altar ran red with the blood of sacrifice. The religious festivals were
strictly observed, and the voice of prayer was heard in the house of God. But
there was a lack of true devotion in Israel’s worship. The nation was
deteriorating morally. Speaking as God commanded, Isaiah said, “Bring no more
futile sacrifices; Incense is an abomination to Me. The New Moons, the
Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred
meeting” (Isaiah 1:13).
Then Isaiah told them how
they could be cleansed from their sin. He said: “Wash yourselves, make
yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil. … ‘Come now, and let us reason
together,’ Says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like
scarlet, They shall be as white as snow; Though they
are red like crimson, They shall be as wool’” (Isaiah 1:16, 18).
There are thousands of
people who do not give themselves to Jesus Christ, because they have conformed
to the world. They are afraid of being called fanatic, pious, puritanical or
religious. A true Christian is a nonconformist.
I’m asking Christians
everywhere to become committed followers of Jesus Christ—not conformed to the
world, but conformed daily to the image of Jesus Christ. Why don’t you, right
now, give your life over completely to Jesus Christ?