What is meant by "this world"?

[BlindSeeker]

As I read through some of the many threads that have come and gone over the time I have been here, there is one thing that has stood out more then anything else to me. I have noticed that over time, more and more people are not remaining separate from the world around them, but fit right in with looks and manner. What does it mean to you when Paul tells us not to conform to this world?

Romans 12

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.

social, mental, economic, spiritual . . .

[Matthitjah]

We are to judge ourselves. He has given us a standard, His word, to use as a yardstick which to measure ourselves to. It is His word He brings to us for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness so we can become Christ like.

Becoming Christ like is not to remove ourselves from society. Jesus walked among the sinner to bring light to their life, an example we are to follow. He did not become as the sinners are in order to do so. When I think about how many people are like to world in order to witness to the lost, I find myself questioning if that is the right thing to do. Many will use the words of Paul from 1 Corinthians 9, "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.", to justify becoming like the world in order to save them from sin. This is not what Paul meant at all. Paul was saying the for the weak, he become like the weak. This is spiritual, not physical. To take this out of context makes it contradictory to what Romans 12:1-2 teaches.

Brother,

You have hit upon a process that I have been mindful of recently. I even started a thread on it.

It is Judging Righteously and Executing True Judgement. I even started a thread about it. In order to do this Righteus Judging and to Execute True Judgement we have to do exactly what you are stating. We have to Yardstick our own walks with fear and great trembling.

I read about it again this morning;

Zec

[OneLight]

We are to judge ourselves. He has given us a standard, His word, to use as a yardstick which to measure ourselves to. It is His word He brings to us for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness so we can become Christ like.

Becoming Christ like is not to remove ourselves from society. Jesus walked among the sinner to bring light to their life, an example we are to follow. He did not become as the sinners are in order to do so. When I think about how many people are like to world in order to witness to the lost, I find myself questioning if that is the right thing to do. Many will use the words of Paul from 1 Corinthians 9, "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.", to justify becoming like the world in order to save them from sin. This is not what Paul meant at all. Paul was saying the for the weak, he become like the weak. This is spiritual, not physical. To take this out of context makes it contradictory to what Romans 12:1-2 teaches.

Brother,

You have hit upon a process that I have been mindful of recently. I even started a thread on it.

It is Judging Righteously and Executing True Judgement. I even started a thread about it. In order to do this Righteus Judging and to Execute True Judgement we have to do exactly what you are stating. We have to Yardstick our own walks with fear and great trembling.

I read about it again this morning;

Zec

[hillsong_girl]

My pastor just preached on this passage

I think "the world" is just everything associated with the fall - evil actions, words, trends, etc. But we should be transformed by Christ

[OneLight]

My pastor just preached on this passage

I think "the world" is just everything associated with the fall - evil actions, words, trends, etc. But we should be transformed by Christ

Exactly! I started this thread to try and get people to think about the difference between the world and what a Christian should be. I have noticed that a lot of professing Christians have one foot int eh world and the other in Christ. Trying to stir the pot a bit.

[hillsong_girl]

My pastor just preached on this passage

I think "the world" is just everything associated with the fall - evil actions, words, trends, etc. But we should be transformed by Christ

Exactly! I started this thread to try and get people to think about the difference between the world and what a Christian should be. I have noticed that a lot of professing Christians have one foot int eh world and the other in Christ. Trying to stir the pot a bit.

Yes. It is quite difficult at times, I don't pretend that I have it all together. I still struggle over decisions and I'll admit at times I choose to go with the world. But by grace I have chances to learn and grow and change. By grace I know I am saved and can choose Christ. Even when it's a challenge - that's my prayer.

[OneLight]

Yes, and it is a great prayer!

Our flesh is always going to entice us to be pleased. It tugs us back from where we came. It lusts after the world, but stronger is He who is in me then he who is in the world. When we have victory through Christ, we shine, but when we conform to the world in any way, our light grows dimmer. Who are we, the unwise virgins or the wise? Do we have enough oil to sustain us through the night and until He comes for us?

[hillsong_girl]

Yes, and it is a great prayer!

Our flesh is always going to entice us to be pleased. It tugs us back from where we came. It lusts after the world, but stronger is He who is in me then he who is in the world. When we have victory through Christ, we shine, but when we conform to the world in any way, our light grows dimmer. Who are we, the unwise virgins or the wise? Do we have enough oil to sustain us through the night and until He comes for us?

That's very true. It's a spiritual battle!

[kross]

Do not seek after the sins of the flesh and keep fleshly lusts under control.

IMO it has nothing to do with what we ware or what music we listen to, it is strictly about keeping a heart towards GOD.

Yes, many churches and Christians have been led down the path of placing greater value on themselves than on saving souls, and that would be a definate example of being conformed to this world.

[OneLight]

Do not seek after the sins of the flesh and keep fleshly lusts under control.

IMO it has nothing to do with what we ware or what music we listen to, it is strictly about keeping a heart towards GOD.

Yes, many churches and Christians have been led down the path of placing greater value on themselves than on saving souls, and that would be a definate example of being conformed to this world.

If our hearts are toward God, we will reflect Him in who we are, how we speak, how we treat others, how we live and so on. The two can not be separated. You are a mirror of your soul.