Romans 12:2 Do not conform 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.

These first 8 verses of Romans 12 are familiar almost to the point of absurdity, because they form the basis of what is called Motivational Gifts teaching, as taught by Don and Katie Fortune. They have both graduated to heaven, but I interpreted for them many times when they came to Japan, as well as staying with them when we visited the Seattle area. That said, the urgency of this verse could hardly be greater than it is in the world today. The pressure to conform is immense, and “this world” is hardly in line with the standards laid out in the Bible. The minute we conform to the world we lose sight of God, His principles and what He has planned for us, and that is a loss greater than words can express. There are countless “rudderless” people in the world, with no clear grasp of who and what they are and what the purpose is of their existence. The fastest way to get like that is conformity to this world. “Everybody’s doing it” is no excuse for anything! Every human being is unique, and no one is without purpose and meaning, but we discover that purpose and meaning only by turning to the God who created us. As I often tell people, any time we get a piece of electronic equipment it comes with an instruction manual. Familiarity with the manual enables us to make full use of all the functions of the equipment, as well as being able to use it a long time. The Engineer who designed and created us is God, and the instruction manual He has given us is the Bible. We aren’t to conform to this world, but rather to the standards laid out in the Bible. In all honesty, they are impossibly high, but striving for them and making them our goal will give us more peace, joy, and satisfaction than any other lifestyle.

I am certainly no exception to this principle. As I comment frequently, I’ve been steeped in the Bible from infancy, but that hasn’t made me immune to the pressure to conform to this world. I have learned the hard way that conformity leads to frustration, pain, and regret. Sticking to God and His Word has always brought me all the things the world has promised me, without the negative strings attached. That’s not to say that the road has always been easy by any means, but what I gain from obedience to God is always better than anything the world can offer. I love, and certainly agree with, what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” Conformity to the world will never get me that assurance.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all I see You doing around me all the time. Help me be increasingly conformed to the image of Your Son, (Romans 8:29) so that I may be fully useful to You for Your purposes, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!