Conformed or Transformed?
From Romans 12:1-2 we read, “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. 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.”
CONFORMED OR TRANSFORMED? Several years ago when we lived in Forest, MS., I can remember a conversation with a neighbor friend like it was yesterday. We were outside watching our small children play and our talk turned to spiritual matters. I asked her if she had a relationship with the Lord and was assured of her salvation. Without hesitation, she told me about that moment in the past when she invited Christ into her heart. Then I asked, “What about (said his name) your husband?” She replied, “Well, I’m not so sure about him.” Then she asked, (unquote) “How would I know if he’s truly saved or not?” I said, “Well, let me ask you this…you and my wife are close friends and have been around each other a lot while teaching at the same school. Do you you think Suzanne is a Christian?” Her answer was one I’ll never forget! She said, “Oh, Brother Doug…she’s more than a Christian! She’s holy!” I understood exactly what she meant! Suzanne wasn’t just the average person who said they were a ‘Christian’…she lived it!
QUESTIONS: How many true Christians do you know who really live it? When you look in the mirror, do you see one? The sad truth is this: while many go to church Sunday after Sunday…only a very few really radiate the glory of Christ. When Paul said, “Be transformed”, he was using a word that meant, “a metamorphosis”. That word simply means “a change from the inside out”. It’s the same word used to describe the process going on inside a cocoon that, over time, produces a beautiful butterfly. This transformation or metamorphosis is what begins and continues inside of every believer when we lay our lives on the altar in complete surrender to Him. He begins to change us from the inside out. He cleanses our hearts of old self and makes us holy. Others around us can see this change and take note! But very few in the church today are being transformed and made holy by the Lord. Why is that? CONFORMERS. In our verse today, the Lord warns us about being conformed to this world. The word “conformed” means “to be squeezed into a mold.” As believers, Paul was saying we must not allow the devil and the world ‘to squeeze us into its mold’ …or to influence us to the point that the way we live is no different from the lost world around us. Many believers have been conformed by the world because they’ve caved into pressure of the world. The sad result is a conformer will never influence the lost to Christ. Why? They see no difference in the way they live. The problem today is instead of the world becoming more churchy, the church has is becoming more and more worldly!
HOW CAN YOU TELL? What are the tell-tale signs of a person being transformed vs. a person that’s being conformed?
1. THE TRANSFORMED FEAR GOD; the conformed fear man. The transformed are concerned about what God thinks of them, while the conformed are consumed with man’s opinion and approval. Are you living to please the crowd or to please Christ?
2. THE TRANSFORMED ARE SOFT CLAY IN THE POTTER’S HANDS; the conformed are hard, stubborn and rebellious. The transformed come to the Lord saying, “Search Me, O God .... See if there be any hurtful, evil way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way” (Ps. 139:23-24). They want to be searched, convicted if going wrong, and changed. The conformed have no desire to be searched, convicted, or changed by God’s Word and God’s Spirit. They want their will and their way, and they want to hear sermons that tell them they are doing great with no need to change a thing. Are you soft clay, desirous of the Lord to mold you into His image, or are you hard and stiff-necked, thinking you are just fine the way you are?
3. THE TRANSFORMED SHINE; the conformed whine. People who worship the Lord in spirit and truth and truly desire to be transformed by Him see wonderful changes take place within them. As they walk with Jesus, they begin to radiate His glory. The love of the Lord from within seeps through and touches others. The conformed, however, radiate nothing but a dull self-loving life. Conformers gripe and complain about virtually everything. They don’t rise and shine and give God the glory. Rather, they rise and whine and tell you their story. “Let me tell you what’s going on in my life: my boss stinks, my health is failing, my kids don’t call, my church is awful and my Pastor needs to be fired!” Are you a whiner or a shiner?
4. THE TRANSFORMED WIN SOULS TO JESUS; the conformed don’t. People who are allowing the Lord to change their lives from the inside out are attractive to unbelievers. The aroma of Christ on a person’s life is indeed a SWEET aroma (II Cor.2:15). Even when all is falling apart they still have joy and peace … WOW! That gets folks attention and makes them say, “They are different...they are real and I want what they have!” The conformed, however, never win anyone to Christ. How could they? The stench of selfishness, discontentment, anger and rebellion is not very attractive, is it? Are you winning souls by your life and by your lips? If not, why not? Could it be there is no transformation taking place within you? The time is now for Christians to get serious about transformation. Remember…this metamorphosis is a continual change until the day of Christ (see Phil. 1:6). Conforming to this world…just going to church and going through the motions and going along to get along is not the Lord’s way. Christianity is all about growth and change. John the Baptist put it this way, “He must increase, but I must decrease” (John 3:30). May this be the cry of our hearts as we seek Him and present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice. Think it over!…🙏