Conformed to What?

In the world in which we live, we are being challenged to conform to its controlling principles. We are in this world, but we are not to be a part of it. What does this mean for the Christian? The Bible gives us clear direction in Romans 12:2. And be ye not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, (center of understanding), that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The world and those around us present many temptations for us to be like them. Do we have to be like them to win them to the Gospel? Our life must challenge them to a different way of living that will bring peace to their troubled soul. Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you (1Pe 4:4). We do not get our fulfillment from the world; we get it from a personal walk with God and our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Our aim, as a believer, should be to have the privilege of being conformed to a living Savior and not to a dying world. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son (Rom 8:29a). Are we conformed to Christ’s death, and dying to the world and its standards?
We should have a desire as Apostle Paul had to win Christ. That I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffering, being made conformable unto his death (Phi 3:10). If our flesh is not dead, it will be difficult to live as Christ wants us to. The flesh must die daily since it is not sanctified. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the spirit, the things of the spirit (Rom 8:5). This calls for a Spirit-filled life that is anchored in the Word of God. The Word of God must be our guide in everyday experiences as we rub shoulders with the sin-sick world.
Our gospel values of truth are under attack by those who do not know the truth of those values. Do we have a faith that has its foundation in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Bible? Do we believe this is the foundation of the Gospel or do we only consider our beliefs as traditions or “just our culture?” Those who insist that these things are merely tradition or cultural practices must also ask themselves, “Will we abandon and trade godly traditions for other traditions which have their foundation in this world?” Some think it’s time to exchange old-fashioned ways with culturally accepted “new” ways, failing to realize that these changes will not bring freedom but bondage. What foundations are we passing to the next generation? Why is it so easy for us to pick up the fashions of the world in exchange for time-honored traditions?
Where are the spiritual men who are called to be the leaders in the home? We need leaders who are willing to stand up and live a nonconformed life too that is not of this world. Sometimes we are much like Balaam who knew what God expected but wanted his selfish desires fulfilled (2Pe 2:15-22).
Sometimes we are not satisfied with the direction that God has already given, so we implore Him again. We need boundaries in our churches so that we and the next generation among us, do not lose their way.
Satan is doing all he can to take our minds off the Word of God. Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God (Heb. 3:12).
Technology is an area the devil is using to destroy the church of Jesus Christ. By accepting modern technology methods, have we lost our personal touch with each other? If we have, the devil is slowly gaining ground in our lives. Are we deceiving ourselves into thinking that we must go along with all these communication “advances” because there is no other way? Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is yet near (Isa 55:6).
Is Satan leading us down a path where there will be no return? If we fail to stop and realize the end of his destructive, scheming path, where will it lead us? Where is wisdom or conviction among us? How does the world see us, or do they consider us to be just one of them?
The god of this world knows what he is doing. Do we? He is leading all humanity to the day when they will need his mark to buy or sell. If we cannot stop now, will we stop then? Let no man deceive you by any means; for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first (2Th 2:3). It’s a deception he is planning well. Many will fall for this deception and receive the antichrist’s damning mark.
First John 2:15 tells us, Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. Have we stopped and considered what is of this world. And have we considered what our Father in heaven wants us to be involved in? Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? (Luke 18:8b) He is asking a serious question: When Christ returns for the saints, will He find the faith that He is looking for, or will we be left behind with the world? Maranatha!