Verse 2 in the NASB goes like this:
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may prove what God's will is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
That is an important verse for those of us who live in the world (which, of course, is everyone). But what does that mean? Are we supposed to hide from the world? Berate the world? I have never believed that we are to hide - God's word makes it clear that in order to share the love and forgiveness of Jesus we have to be in the world. But how do we keep ourselves from conforming to it?
Well, as Scripture often does, I believe the following verses explain this process. Unfortunately, though, Christians have often explained and expounded on such verses without looking at them in their context. First of all, it says right in verse 2 that we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. We are to know Christ, study the truths that have been revealed in Scripture. . . and in knowing him the life he desires for us will become clearer. After that the text goes on to talk about our uniqueness in Christ and the need for genuineness in our love and in our service. The chapter closes with a call to transparently love even those who hate us. I think all of those things go totally against the way our world works, don't you? So, after thinking about this for a bit, I'm pretty convinced that the way we avoid conforming to this world is in renewing our thinking, our loving, and our serving.
Now, I hate to be negative, but I have to share a frustration here. Sometimes Christians use verses like Romans 12:2 to promote an idea of Christianity that it separatist, exclusive, and judgemental. They decide that 'not being conformed to this world' includes abstaining from many of the enjoyable things of this world. I don't mind that - if that is what makes them feel connected to their faith and God. . . what I mind is when they then force those expectations on all believers and condemn those who do not feel the need to abstain from things that Scripture hasn't clearly asked them to. I think Paul knew this tendency might arise when he wrote the very next verse in Romans 12.
Verse 3 goes like this:
"For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgement, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith."
Or in the message version, like this:
"I'm speaking to you out of deep gratitude for all that God has given me, and especially as I have responsibilities in relation to you. Living then, as every one of you does, in pure grace, it's important that you not misinterpret yourselves as people who are bringing this goodness to God. No, God brings
it all to you. The only accurate way to understand ourselves is by what God is and by what he does for us, not by the what we are and what we do for him."
So Paul makes it clear that when we live for God, not conforming to this world but being transformed, we must acknowledge that it is God in us giving us the power to do those things! Not one of us could get it right apart from him.
So let's be careful as we live our Christianity in this world. Give each other the love and grace to live our faith as well as we can based on our understanding of Scripture. If you see a brother or sister who truly seems to be straying from the clear commands of God - talk to that person in truth and love! But when you find a believer who truly loves Jesus and yet has a different viewpoint on what movies are appropriate, what beverages are acceptable, or how to define modesty at the mall - try to extend grace and love without judgement. We can only live by the standards that God has defined for us.
Lets remember that the ground is level at the foot of the cross.
can i ask a loaded question here?
ReplyDeleteplease do!
ReplyDeleteA couple things:
ReplyDelete1. You speak of not conforming to this world, but what about Christians who conform to other Christians? I find that when I argue/converse with some Christians they can't really explain why they believe something because they've never fully thought it out for themselves.
2. I think it's great that you say to let others pick their own movies, beverages, and clothes. But if we, as humans, all love God entirely differently then isn't it ok if our viewpoints on the big stuff differs too? I know you read the Bible and follow what it says, but you can't deny that there are many many many interpretations of those passages. And going back to #1 I find that many Christians just choose to surround themselves with people who agree with them on everything. Hence, never challenging their beliefs or digging deep within themselves to find out WHY they believe what they believe.
Obviously I'm generalizing about "Christians" here, but it's something I've observed.
1. you are absolutely correct in saying that many Christians never fully think out their faith. . . they simply go to church, say what they're taught to say, and try to live as decent people in this world. Its not my place to judge - but I'm not sure that those people are true believers. It says in Revelation that Jesus will spit the lukewarm followers out of his mouth. I think he would rather people argue, question and passionately search for truth than just passively believe whatever someone else tells them.
ReplyDelete2. Just because people interpret some passages differently doesn't mean that God actually means different things. There really is actually one right way to interpret every part of Scripture. There is one right answer. I'm not God - I don't have his mind - I will never fully understand him (he is GOD, after all). So sometimes we get off track when we interpret his word. But most of the arguments come from people who have previously established an anti-Christian world view. So as they read the bible they are looking not for understanding of truth but holes and contradictions. . . so they misread and misunderstand because they have approached in the wrong light. At least, thats my perspective.
3. I LOVE your questions. love your thinking. hope I'm not giving you boxed answers - just trying to respond as transparently as you ask. . .=)
ok. good answers. and no, they aren't boxed by any means.
ReplyDeletebut if there is only one right way to interpret scripture, only one meaning...which i'm not saying i disagree with (i happen to think my way is pretty good, haha) how do you know that you are on the right track? and no offense, but i'm not sure faith is a good enough answer. i feel and have faith in what i believe, i never felt anything when i lived out what i was told to. i never felt god, i never was "touched" by the spirit when i was in church. it wasn't the place for me to experience god. so if i feel it now, my way, and you feel it, your way, then how do we know whats right and wrong if we can't both be right?
there's some food for thought that even i need to digest a bit.
Well, we certainly can't base our view of truth on feelings. Sometimes we feel really good about things that are totally wrong. . . Like a girl who is in love with a guy who treats her like crud. Sometimes our hearts and emotions misguide us. I might feel good about my interpretations of certain passages of Scripture - but I'm basing my understanding on a lot more than feelings. I am studying those passages to try and understand what the author originally intended. Just like any writer, the authors of the bible wrote intentionally. They were trying to make a point. If you want to know what a particular section is talking about you need to know about the author, about the people he was writing to, and about the cultural issues that were prevelant at that time. If you know those things then you can gain a pretty darn good understanding of the overall principles that underscore the writing.
ReplyDeleteIts easy to leave a church on a sunday morning having never felt the active presence of God. Sometimes there is a void in the service - a lack of passion, transparency, or authenticity. Sometimes its because our own hearts are hardened or turned away from God himself. But don't reject the Christian understanding of the bible based on fallen, sinful people who sometimes misrepresent the gospel it preaches. . . and don't question its validity because you feel better about a different way. God's word goes against a lot of common, accepted things in our culture. Not everything in the bible is going to 'feel' good - but that doesn't meen it isn't truth.
i think you should turn that response into its own blog post. it was well written.
ReplyDeletei don't believe things because they feel good, and i understand the confusion based on what i said. what i meant was that it feels RIGHT. just like you're way of life isn't always easy but you know deep down its right. my way of life isn't always easy but i'm starting to feel deep down that its right. and remember, its not like i don't believe in god. she's just different to me than she is for you.
and like i said, that response you just wrote would be good for other people to read without having to click on the "comment" button to get to it. it was really well written, and makes a lot of sense.