Be not Conformed to this World
Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)
Introduction: Athanasius early bishop of Alexandria, stauntly opposed the teachings of Arius, who declared that Christ was not the eternal Son of God, but a suborninate being. Hounded through five exiles, he was summoned before Emperor Theodosius who demanded he cease his opposition of Arius. The emperor reproving him asked: "Do you not realize that the whole world is against you?" Athanasius quickly answered: "Then I am against the world!"
The story is brief but it shows the nee not to be conformed to this world. The Apostle Paul urged the Corinthians to "come out and be ye separate" (2 Cor. 6:17). A call to not be conformed to this world. Having said that, you might ask: "Why conform in some ways?" There are definate reasons not to and we will look at a few of them. Lets start first and always by looking at what God's word says...
Scripture Reading: " 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."
Pastor's Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for the time you have given others to read this post. We hopefully pray that it is of benefit to not only themselves, but to others as well. In the present day teands we see a great many people and even Christians who conform themselves to the ways of this world. I pray that eyes may be opened and ears circumcized to see and hear your word Lord. Take this little series and use it to the advancement of your kingdom. For we ask this in Jesus' name...Amen.
Division 1 Statement: Understanding Conformity
Explaination: Conform means correspond to or be like (a pattern), Comply with (a law, rules, or customs) be obedient.
Illustration: Queen Victoria, rebelled as a child, ultimate good withheld from her proved tobe too rowdy, later when told about her ascention to the throne, she conformed to expectations.
Argumentation: 1 Sam. 8:5
"Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations."
We want a king! Desire to be like other nations.
And what were the results?
Application: I & II Kings, I & II Chronicles show these results. And contrary to this, Isaiah 1:16-19 shows the rewards of conforming to God's plan:
"Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:"
Division 2 Statement: Conformity in our Society
Explaination: Today, there are tremdous pressures to conform to socities so-called "standards". But the pressure to conform is exertered and felt more on our pre-teens and teenagers than any other group in America.
Illustration: E. M. Griffin in his book "The Mindchangers" describes an experiment done by Solomon Asch with groups of 12 people. They were brought to a room where four lines of unequal length were displayed. They had to decide which two were the same length and to publically vote for their choices. Person after person (11 in all), voted for the wrong lines - because they had been told ahead of time. THe one individual who was in the dark couldn't imagine how in the world these seemingly normal people could all choose the wrong line. When it was time to vote, they had to decide "Do I go with what I know my senses are telling me, or do I go with the crowd?" THe result: one third (33%) of those tested caved in to peer pressure and changed their vote to agree with their peers!
Argumentation: People have long been conforming to others, as noted back in:
Elijahs day: "How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word." (cf. 1 Kgs. 18:21)
Jesus' prediction of the conformity in the last days: "And they shall say to you, See here; or, see there: go not after them, nor follow them." (cf. Lk. 17:23)
Peter's warning of the ways people will follow: "And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of." (cf. 2 Pet. 2:2)
And as recent as 2000, and the split of the SBC over the issues of wives submitting to their husbands and the issue of homosexuality. Some want to confrom, and some do not. It is an age old battle.
Division 3 Statement: The Danger of Conformity
Explaination: In spite of what people think, there is a danger to conformity, and it is called "compromise".
Illustration: F. B. Meyer said: "The place from we can expert the strongest influence for good is not from within, but from without. Lot lost all influence of his life in Sodom; but Abraham from the heights of Mamer, was able to exert a mighty influence on history."
Argumentation: The remnant that returned from capitivity, conformed to the customs and manners of the inhabitants. (cf. Ezra 9:1) With the visible results seen in verse 2. Seen in Christian businessmen who eventually go to meetings where alcohol is being served. At first, he is ridiculed, then caves in to pressure. Subsequent conformities become easier and easier.
Application: 1 Thes. 5:22, and the Apostle Paul refusing to eat what had ben offered to idols (cf. 1 Cor. 9:7-23). Conformity to this world sepates us from God (cf. 1 Jn. 2:15-17):
Transition: Now do you understand why there is grave danger in conforming to this world? But, how do we deal with it?
Division 4 Statment: Be a transformer, not a conformist
Explaination: You must change the things around you to be what is "holy, acceptable" (Rom. 12:1). If a picture on a wall is crooked, do you "crook" the wall to make the picture straight?
Illustration: On a wall near the entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: "James Rutler Bonham- no picture of him exists. This is a portrait of his nephew, Mayor James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family so that the people may know the appearence of the man who died for freedom." No literal picture of Jesus exists either. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of His true followers.
Argumentation: Paul calls for a "renewing of your mind" (vs. 2). A new "mind set". Matthew Henry says "...see to it that there be a saving change wrought in you and that it be carried on". John Gill calls the believer to "progress and carrying on of the work of renovation. the renewing of them day by day in the spirit of their minds".
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day." -2 Cor 4:16 (KJV)
You may ask: How is this done?
Application: "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." -Eph. 4:22-24 (KJV)
- "put off the old man" (former things)
Renew your mind (mind the things of God)
Put on the new mind as stated in Hosea 5:4, from our "doings to turn")
Transition: Being a transformist and not a conformist marks the difference between ture Christians and imitators. But one more step is needed...
Division 5 Statement: Be a leader, not a follower
Explanation: It takes a person of great courage to step out of line and pledge to be different. No longer going with the flow, but going countercurrent.
Illustration: Martin Luther refused to follow the doctrines that the Roman Catholic church was teaching, especially on "indulgences", whan he nailed his 95 thesisto the door of the church in Wittenburg, Germany. ANd in doing so, sparked one of the greatest reformations since Jesus' day. Without his courage to step out and be a leader rather than a follower, we would not have great reformers such as John Calvin, Carl Zwingly, John Wycliff, and a great many others.
Argumentation: A transformist is a leader:
Who proves to others what is good, acceptable, and perfect (vs. 2). Refusing to go with the crowd.
Presents their bodies as "living sacrifice" when people are having adulterous affairs, these people have the courage to say this is wrong and a sin to God, my wife, and my family.
Application: "And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." -Jos. 24:15 (KJV)
A leader helps others fight off pressure to conform by doing what Joshua did, encourage them to do what is right.
Who are you encouraging?
"And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus." -Mt. 14:28-29 (KJV)
Conclusion: Everyone experiences the pressures to conform:
1) In the workplace
2) Teens among other teens
3) Those who are older and in places of power and influence
As I see it, there are only two choices:
Either buckle under and be led by those who are destroying their bodies, minds, and souls.
Or, look to Jesus, the true Non-Conformist and follow after His example.
Appeal: Who are you following after? The god of this world? We must not conform ourselvesto the things of this world, they are mutable, they are passing away. And if you are part of them, then you are passing away too.
Will you step out from the crowd? Will you show what is good, acceptable, and right?
Remember this, if you are conforming yourself after this world, its patterns, and flow, then you are conforming yourself to the god of this world. And his end shall be: "cast into the lake of fire and brimstone".
Come make it right before it is too late! Be a transformist instead of a conformist!
