Rom 12:2 Be a Non-Conformist

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Be a Non-Conformist

Rom 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is— his good, pleasing and perfect will."

The first step in not conforming to the pattern of this world is identifying the distinction between the pattern of the world with the pattern of the Christian life taught in the Bible. Among other things it's going to involve making judgements based upon what the Bible says. What are the primary challenges today that Christians face with regards to this matter? While that's a matter of perspective, what got Paul most upset about the Corinthians was their disregard for what the Bible says concerning sexual immorality, as we read in 1Corinthians chapter 5. "It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that does not occur even among pagans: " 1Cor 5:1 Likewise today there are many churches and consequently many Christians who disregard what the Bible says about sexual immorality, or more generally they disregard the very nature of the Biblical relationship between men and women, largely the result of the influence of feminism over the decades.

For example while Jesus said, "at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female." Mark 10:6, there are Christians today who claim that God made them homosexual or transgender or other such foolishness. "Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God." 1Cor 6:9,10 And there are those who despite what Jesus said, "Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery." Mk 10:11b,12 (for "a woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives." 1Cor 7:39a), will nonetheless willfully commit adultery in such a manner, let alone the fornicating Christians who don't even bother getting married. But perhaps the most insidious of all within the church is the disregard of what the Bible says concerning the subordinate role of women. For " I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man" 1Cor 11:3, for which reason Paul says, "A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent." 1Tim 2:11,12

These are some significant areas in which Christians have the opportunity to distinguish themselves from the world. But there are many more categories - money, purpose in life, view towards suffering, hope in the resurrection, and so forth. The world constantly tries to mold us into its image. It tries to shape our values, our morals, and our perspective on life. Those who don't conform to peer pressure are threatened with dishonor, contempt, hostility, loss of relationships and loss of security. But as Jesus said of his disciples "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." John 17:16.

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The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources

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Yes we need to show real love and character so that as in acts 17:6 we are again those people who are turning the world upside down.

 

The shame is that Christians do not stand out as being different.