Friday, August 7, 2015

Are You Conformed To This World or Transformed?

Conformed or Transformed?

“Be not conformed to this world” … how many of us have heard these words again and again. But do we really know what they mean? All of us need to pay attention to what we read in the Word. Superficial – and such is many times our Bible reading – does not do anything. “Be not conformed to this world” – the Greek word translated as conformed here means co-shaped, co-formed. What the Word is telling us here is: do not be or become of the same shape, same form, co-formed, with this world. We are different brothers and sisters. A Christian is different!! We do not belong to this world. And yet many of us cannot miss listening to the news, worry about what this world worries, doing what this world does, speaking about what this world speaks. Now if we think, hear, speak and do what this world thinks, hears, speaks and does then guess what? We are co-shaped, co-formed with this world. And as long as the world and its worries and “joys” occupy your life be sure: you will not grow in Christ.
“but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Instead of conformed to the world we should be transformed. Now to be transformed means to change form to become something of different form, shape. What should our new form be then? The answer is simple: CHRIST. As Paul says in Galatians 4:19
“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is FORMED IN YOU”
See this word FORMED! Christ, who lives in us, is our new form! And as Colossians 3:2 tells us:
“Set your mind on things above, NOT on things on the earth.”
Could it be made clearer? Transformation is done by renewing of the mind and it is up to you where you will set your mind on, with just 2 options available: the things on the earth and the things above. The first option will make you a spiritual pigmy, a Christian that is just a baby that never grows, spiritually retarded but by choice i.e. you choose to never grow despite all the potential that is called CHRIST in you. The second option means spiritual growth, Christ formed in you, close fellowship with the living God, whom you have tasted and know how good He is. And as I Peter 2:2 tells us:
“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”
Growth comes through the Word of God. You need the Word in order to grow. Not religious teaching that sound moral and pious but teachings of the Word! And again as the Lord said:
John 8:32
“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
What is truth? Christ again, speaking to God, His Father said: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word [hence the Word of God] is truth.” The truth, the Word of God, will make you free. Will you seek this Word? Where we set our mind on is something CRITICAL. We will either be co-formed with this world or we will grow, be transformed by choosing - and it is a CHOICE and one that WE make – to renew our minds by setting it on things above and not on things of this earth, by feeding it with the Word of God so that we grow thereby.
«For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ» (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
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Friend, Jesus gave us an extremely serious warning in John 15 that should cause us to make our calling and election sure. Jesus's warning was given to his very disciples!

  1“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3“You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5“I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. 6“If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned. 7If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples. 9“Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. 11“These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
Warren 

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