~~~~~ TRANSFORMED ~~~~~ Romans 12:1--I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your BODIES a living sacrifice, HOLY, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable SERVICE. 2--And be NOT conformed to this world: but be ye TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind, that he may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. TRANSFORMED:~~~~~~ (Webster’s Collegiate)--1. a: to change in composition or structure. b. to change the outward form or appearance of c. to change in character or condition: CONVERT. TRANSFORM implies a major change in form, nature, or function. Now, go back to verse one: it said to present your ---WHAT? BODY--- a living sacrifice ( no longer the killed sacrifices of the O.T. Covenant - Law ) Your body living a certain way unto God-- What way? -- The first condition or requirement --- HOLY. To be Holy As He is Holy. This is what is ACCEPTABLE unto God, this is your reasonable SERVICE. This is how you serve, or your work to God. So without being HOLY, you are not doing your reasonable work to God. CONFORM; --(Webster’s Collegiate)---1. to be similar or identical; also to be in agreement or harmony to or with. 2. to be obedient or compliant b. to act in accordance with prevailing standards or customs. So here we have a good definition of both ‘transform�?and ‘conform�? We also have a COMMAND from God to be TRANSFORMED --- TO NOT BE CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD. Only one willfully denying the truth of God could fail to see what is being said in these two verses. God is commanding us to change our character, our OUTWARD form or appearance- to cross the standards and customs around us in the world. If one refuses to do this, they are out of the will of God and will not be accepted by God. Did I make that up? Did the word above not say this is your reasonable service by which you would be acceptable unto God? We are also COMMANDED to not be conformed any longer to the world. This means not to be similar of identical or in agreement or harmony with the worldly standards and customs around us.-- to not obey their ways or be in accordance with their standards or customs. But what do almost 100% of the people and churches believe and tell us? Oh, we must not be different; we must not make anyone mad or uncomfortable by being different or telling them to be different; we need to all be just alike, etc. They will say, all the churches celebrate x-mas, easter, and all the other devil worship days, so we must do it too. If it were not alright, all of them would not be doing it? REALLY? Then I ask you, DOES THE WORLD DO IT? If so, we are told to be different from that. We are commanded not to conform to their customs. Jer. 10 also commanded God’s people not to ‘learn�?the ways of the HEATHEN; for their CUSTOMS are vain. The go out into the woods, cut down a green tree, go home, decorate it etc. We are COMMANDED by God not to conform to that. I will give some more on this later. |