Romans 12:2 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.

Often we moan that we don’t know what God’s will is, as though it were something mysterious and difficult. But this verse gives the secret. It’s actually pretty obvious, but it’s something most of us really don’t want to hear: don’t conform to the world. As long as we are worried about fitting in with the world around us, we aren’t going to have much success in hearing God’s heart. We would like God to wave a wand and transform us into what we should be, but the Japanese makes it clear that Paul is saying here, “change yourselves.” We can’t do that without God’s help, but we can make the choice to change, and that is what is most important. If we are emotionally committed to the world, we aren’t going to make that commitment to God, and so we will maintain a wall between Him and us. He tore down all the walls from His side through the cross of Christ, but we are all too capable of erecting walls from our side, and then complaining that God is distant. The secret is simple: stop being conformed to this world, and choose to be conformed to Christ.

I had the huge advantage of being raised in a home where being conformed to Christ was far more important than being conformed to the world, but that doesn’t mean I’m not tempted to conform to the world, or that I haven’t made some pretty big mistakes by conforming to it. Frankly, it can be uncomfortable, not to mention lonely, when my thought processes don’t match those of the people around me. I am not to be different for the sake of being different, nor am I to be conceitedly thinking I’m always right, but my goal must always be Christ and His kingdom, rather than any sort of temporal popularity contest. As a pastor, I’m to be understanding but not compromising toward those in the flock who are under pressure to conform to the world. There are many who want to know and do God’s will, and I need to be consistent in pointing them in the right direction. That doesn’t mean dictating to them, and it certainly doesn’t mean micro managing them (or trying to), but it does mean helping them understand the world’s pressures, distinguishing them from God’s Word, and encouraging them to choose to be transformed. Our transformation becomes more complete with practice (Hebrews 5:14), so I need to keep at it myself, and encourage them to do likewise.

Father, this is intensely practical. Thank You. Thank You for the situation that was brought to my attention yesterday, and that I’ll have an opportunity to address it this morning. I pray that I would speak Your truth in love, not coming across as a bully but as a loving mentor, so that the traps of the enemy may be escaped. Help us all grow in our commitment to You, resisting the devil consistently so that he may indeed flee from us (James 4:7) and we may walk in the peace and joy of Your will for us, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!