Do Not Conform to This World

​The word conform means to form one’s appearance, manners, character, etc. according to prevailing (persuasion, widespread) standards.  To act or be in accordance with a law, rule, customs, etc.  To be similar, to conform to a pattern or mold; a marker which shows association with another thing or person in outward fashion, appearance, or customs.  The Apostle Paul discusses the necessity of not conforming to the world but looking like the things of God (Romans 12:1-2).  Christians should not fashion themselves after or be adapted to the world’s external or superficial customs, but Christians should be transformed or changed by the entire renewal of their mind by its new ideals and its new attitude of being connected with Jesus Christ.  Christians cannot conform to anything in this time, day, age, etc.  People will say, “I’m a Christian, so I don’t look like the world” even while they attempt to be relevant to the culture that surrounds them.  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).  If you are changing the fashion, customs, or appearance of God, you are making efforts to conform Him to fit your desire and the desire of the world to gather a crowd, not true faith-built Christians.  God does not change.  His message does not change.  No one cannot market God and make Him relevant.  He does not need anyone’s help, everyone needs His help.  This principle should be the motivation for people to seek Him, not because they want something exactly like the world has to offer.  People have been to the world to find peace, joy, and love, but it is not there.  Only God can fill the void within the lives of people.  God worked the same for Moses as He will for you.  God worked the same for David as He will for anyone else.  God worked the same for Paul as He will for anyone seeking Him, He does not work for a gimmick or show.  Jesus gave Himself for us to redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works (Titus 2:14).  God’s people are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy people, a peculiar people that should praise God because He has called them out of darkness into his marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).  Christians are to be a peculiar people, not a relevant people.  The word peculiar means one’s very own, special, belonging to, a possession, or purchased possession.  Those that are born again should be God’s people, not the world’s people.  We should look like, talk like, be fashioned after, belong to, and agree with God.  Christians cannot look like the world but add a Godly twist.  They cannot serve God and mammon which means riches or worldly pursuits (Matthew 6:24, Luke 16:13).  Christians should be like the New Testament examples that stood against the world and did not allow themselves to be changed by the world, but changed the world, because of God in them.  May Christians not be conformed to this world, but be changed in our minds, words, and actions to do God’s will.  They should carry the message of God to the people and give them what they are truly searching for, a forgiving Savior that loves them and wants them to be changed by His righteousness and to put on holiness, not a cheap imitation.  May Christians stop marketing God and let Him change us, our churches, and help the people that are seeking the truth about God.