Conformed or Transformed? (2003)

Conformed or Transformed?

Romans 12:1–2 NKJV

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. 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.

Called to a Lifestyle of Worship

Romans 12:1 NKJV

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.

The Sin of Conforming

Conforming to this world’s values. (“dancing to the world’s music”)

1 John 2:15–16 NKJV

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.

James 4:4 NKJV

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

Conforming to the expectations of others.

2 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV

For we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend themselves. But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

We spend money on things we don’t have on things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.

Conforming to an unredeemed identity.

Genesis 1:26 NKJV

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

Colossians 2:9–10 NKJV

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.

Wrong Ways to Become Like Jesus

Imitating this world. (adopting the world’s definition of right and wrong)

Focusing on ourselves (how good or bad we are).

Pleasing our family. (loving our family more than loving Jesus)

Pressure from our peers. (peer pressure)

Keeping the Law of Moses. (works of righteousness)

Idolizing human leaders. (putting leaders on a pedestal equal to Jesus)

The Process of Transformation

Focus our hearts on Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

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.

Renew our Minds with the Word of God. (God’s word is like a mirror what will expose lies with the truth)

This includes our identification in Christ (Who we are in Christ and who He is in us!).

I am who God made me to be.

I can do what God says I can do.

“I am who I AM says I am!”

Response to the Word

We must turn our eyes away from this world.

We must turn our eyes upon Jesus.

Hymn: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus (Helen H. Lemmel)

Turn your eyes upon Jesus

Look full in His wonderful face

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace