“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2. 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.”
Paul wrote that when we have “presented (our) bodies a living sacrifice” some changes should take place in our lives. One thing that he wrote was that we should present ourselves holy. Holy does not mean self-righteous; rather, it means living a life that is “acceptable unto God.” Paul also writes that this is not asking too much of us: “which is your reasonable service." In verse 2 he points out how we can present our lives as acceptable to God in a holy manner. Now, you get the idea here that being a Christian is to be different from the world. Sometimes this makes us at odds with the world. There are people who tell us that if we love people, we will accept whatever lifestyle that they live and just “love them.” I just wonder if that goes for child molesters, murderers, adulterers, thieves and etc. He tells us how we can live the acceptable life. Jesus would not tell us to hate anybody, but He would certainly not tell us to agree with them in their lifestyles. He wrote:“And be not conformed to this world.” A.T. Robertson translated this: “Do not be poured into the world’s mold.” Keep in mind that the world system is under the control of Satan, and he is happy when we join the world in its schemes. Peter wrote in 1 Peter 2: 9-11: “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praise of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. 10. Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which hath not obtained mercy, but now have received mercy. 11. Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul…” This is definitely not a call to fit ourselves into Satan’s mold. Further, Peter wrote in 1 Peter 4:3-4: “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banqueting, and abominable idolatries: 4. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you…” All of this from Peter’s first letter does not tell us to conform to the world, but to be different. Further, Paul wrote: “But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” We are not only to refuse to conform to the world’s morality, but we are to be transformed – changed. We should not do those sinful things that we did before Christ came into our lives. This transformation does not turn us into modern day Pharisees; rather it turns us into Christians. This means that we will not turn up our noses at people who are not Christians, but that we will seek to help them, pray for them and love them. The New Testament does not allow us to hate anyone. Throughout the Gospels, Jesus told His disciples, and us, to love people like He did. We seek to influence them for good rather than allowing them to influence us for evil. I think that the world is crying out for people who are genuinely transformed by the Holy Spirit. These would not be people who smile on whatever people want to do, but who eschew evil, but at the same time love people. Being transformed does not mean that we become religious, legalistic, and holier than thou; rather it means that we seek to serve people in the name of Jesus. It means that our own behavior has changed, and that our behavior influences people for good. Like Jesus, we do not encourage people in their sin, for this gives them a false hope. But we demonstrate a lifestyle that brings praise to the Lord. Do not be self-righteous but do not let the world conform you to its mold. Bro. Joe
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AuthorDr. Joe Beauchamp is the author of this blog and website. Categories
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