Do Not Be Conformed to This World

Suppose something unusual happened tomorrow. In the morning, you meet one of the most famous people in America. That afternoon, you meet an unknown Christian who has quietly spent thirty years serving people, sharing Christ, praying for others, and allowing the Holy Spirit to work through his or her life.

When you get home that evening, which person would you tell your family about first? That simple question may reveal more about us than we realize.

Paul wrote: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." — Romans 12:2

We often think being "conformed to the world" simply means participating in obviously sinful behavior. But conformity can be far more subtle.

The world quietly teaches us who is important, what success looks like, whose opinions matter, who deserves admiration, and who should receive our attention.

And if we are not careful, Christians can begin looking at people through the eyes of the world instead of through the eyes of Jesus. Celebrity, money, titles, influence and power impress us. But Jesus walked through this world using an entirely different measuring stick.

He noticed the widow dropping two small coins into the offering, and Zacchaeus hiding in a tree. He stopped for blind Bartimaeus when others wanted him silenced. He spoke with a Samaritan woman others avoided. He welcomed children His disciples considered an interruption.

Why did Jesus notice people the world overlooked? Because Jesus saw people from the perspective of eternity.

And now the wonderful truth of the New Covenant is that this same Jesus Christ lives His Life in and through us in the form of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Therefore, transformation is not merely something we accomplish by disciplining our thoughts, it is also the work of the Spirit within us.

Paul wrote: "We are being transformed into His image…which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit." — 2 Corinthians 3:18

The world attempts to conform us from the outside. The Holy Spirit desires to transform us from the inside. As we yield ourselves to Him, He gradually changes the way we see.

We begin to notice the people Jesus notices, value what Jesus values, and care about what Jesus cares about. We begin to see eternal significance where the world sees only ordinary people.

Paul said: "Those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God." — Romans 8:14

What would happen if we began each morning asking the Holy Spirit to lead us? He may lead us toward the person nobody else notices, prompt us to encourage someone who is discouraged, remind us to telephone someone who is lonely, give us the opportunity to forgive someone we would rather avoid, place us beside someone who desperately needs hope, or open a door for us to speak about Jesus.

LIFE LESSON: Perhaps instead of beginning every day by asking: "What do I need to accomplish today?" we might ask: "Holy Spirit, what are You doing today, and where do You want to express the life of Christ through me?" This question can transform an ordinary day. Amen, Amen.

DO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD

Video Spotlight: Pastor Isaac Kimtai Kiboi, GIGM Kenya General Director — watch here.

Thank you for your prayers and partnership with GIGM Worldwide. They are a great encouragement to us.