Conformity

Romans 12:2- Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve God's will, his good pleasing and perfect will.

Definition from the World English Dictionary of Conformity:  Compliance in actions, behaviour, etc, with certain accepted standards or norms.

To sum it all up: going with the flow. Conformity to the world should be the enemy of the Christian life. It often times is not though. some Christians walk around holding the hand of the world, unwilling to let go to follow Christ with their all. We would not have the mindset that we can hold both the Lord's hand and the worlds. It is IMPOSSIBLE to do so. In Matthew 6:24 is says, "No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." So what this is saying is this, "Christians" Who are holding the worlds hands, they hate and despise Christ. These are some of the Christians that Matthew talks about in Matthew 7:22-23, "Many will say to me on that day "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me you evildoers."  

We MUST transform our minds to the likeness of Christ, or bear the consequences of Eternity in Hell. We must put down our conformity to the world and mold ourselves to God's perfect and pleasing will. 

How are we to just lay down our old self and pick up a new one? I doesn't sound easy. Well, here's a quick news flash, It is not going to be easy. The Christian life was never said to be easy. If you heard that it was, you were lied to. In fact the Bible says, "for wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it, but small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it. (Matthew 7:13-14) 

So what must we do to find this gate? The answer is this, "Be transformed by renewing your mind." Renewing your mind is to start over with your whole mindset, lifestyle and ethics. Again! Not going to be easy. 

Mindset: To do this we must not fill our minds with music that is not praising to the Lord. This also applies to movies and books. (I could go on and on on this subject, but I'll save this topic for another blog entry). These things are a must! If these things fill your mind and life, then God cannot. 

Lifestyle: We have to start living by the ten commandments. (Exodus 20:1-17) We have to start censoring our mouths, by not saying anything negative, or using swear words, especially not using God's name as a cuss word. This is important because the Bible says that on the day of judgement we will be called into account for every idle word that we have spoken. Also, people will not take you seriously if you constantly have dirty jokes and bad words oozing from your mouth.  

Ethics: We need to change our ethics about the way we live. We cannot be lazy in Christ! We have to work hard to bring people to God's kingdom and to do the things of God's will. (This is not a suggestion! Mark 16:15, Go into all the world and preach the good news to all of Creation.) Also we must strive for excellence in every aspect of our lives. Our grades, work, words, even going to church on time. The Bible says on this, "If you eat or drink or do anything at all, do it for the Glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Teens, Adults, Kids, we HAVE TO WAKE UP! These are the end days, and how many of us want the Lord to come back and find us sleeping? That is a scary thought. We need to be seeking the Lord with all of our being. We should be studying the Bible and listening intently for the Lord to speak to us. Don't conform any longer! Live for Christ. 

~Whatsoever things are true 

Philippians 4:8