Conformed vs. Transformed

While teaching at a youth camp recently, I was asked the question, “When do we experience the transformation that the Bible talks about?” Of course this is in reference to the passage found in Romans 12:2

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.

Though this passage is short it is full of theology and doctrine relevant to our ministry as Followers of the Way.

We are asked to do two distinct things in this passage. The first is to stop actively conforming ourselves to the pattern of this world, while the second is that we must be transformed.

Stop Actively Conforming to the Pattern of this world:

I have hear a lot of sermons about what this might mean and it seems to always center around the way the world is selfish and seeks to hoard everything for themselves. “Look out for number one” is a saying that personifies this attitude that infects the world around us. As we begin to adopt this mantra for ourselves, we force our bodies into the mold that the world has established. When we do this, we are unrecognizable as Christians. The Lord said that we would be recognized as disciples of Jesus Christ when we love one another. Such an act of selflessness can only come from above, and will immediately distinguish us as different that the pattern that the world has set for us.

Be Transformed:

This is a different statement because it asks us to do something that we are unable to do. This is the result of the understanding that Paul had in the transformational power of the Holy Spirit over the natural world. He experienced this in a more pronounced way than most. His life was changed in a way that was impossible for him to accomplish. Only through the power of the Spirit was he able to ‘Be Transformed’ from Saul to Paul. The statement Be Transformed is something that requires us to relinquish control and allow the Spirit to take authority.

Both of these commands take time; time to recognize our fault, time to know our weakness, time to wait on the Lord, time to see the transformation that He has brought forth in us.

May the Lord be the element of change in your life, and may the desires of your heart be for transformation and eternity.