(Q)  Does God want us to be different from the world around us?

Answers to Bible Questions
Scriptures are from the King James Bible

(Q)  Does God want us to be different from the world around us?

(A)   It seems to be the undying goal of the world around us to “press us into its mold” and turn out uniform robots who are “politically correct.” To live as a Christian in a non-Christian world definitely causes one to stick out like a sore thumb! Yet this is exactly what God calls us to do in Romans 12:2, “And be not conformed to this world: 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.”

Being different than the world is not an end in itself. It merely comes with the territory of being saved. Paul begins with a negative admonition, “be not conformed.” This word “conformed” comes from the Greek word from which we get our word schematic. For those who are not electronics buffs, a schematic diagram is a detailed drawing of electrical circuits. It often seems that the church at large is attempting to see how closely it can imitate the world’s schematic, or pattern, whether it be in dress, music or view of life. We must be careful not to be guilty of this.

On a positive note, Paul tells us how to avoid conformity to the world “by the renewing of your mind.” True transformation (literally, metamorphosis) comes when the child of God fills his or her mind with the life changing Word of God. Only regular reading, study and meditation on the Scriptures will bring lasting and positive change in the believer. All attempts at mere self-reformation are bound to fail and do not glorify God. However, true transformation in the life of a believer proves, in a practical way, “that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

God’s will for the world is to come to know Him through the Cross. God became flesh and died for the sins of the whole world. All it takes is true faith or belief in what He accomplished for us at Calvary.

 Is God’s will being demonstrated in your life?

John