Monday, February 17, 2025

            Conformity is defined as “behavior in accordance with socially accepted conventions or standards.”  And there are many times when conformity is good.  For example, we all agree that certain weights and measurements are true and accurate.  An inch or a meter in Delaware is still an inch or a meter in Arizona.  $1 in New Hampshire is still $1 in Iowa.  But when it comes to faith, conformity is not the biblical standard.  If we look like each other or seek to look like each other, then we are just a collection of sinners imitating each other.  Sinners imitating each other simply leaves us as nothing more than sinners succeeding in sin.  Paul said he was the chief of all sinners.  And there may be many times when you and I feel the same way. 
            The Bible holds out a different standard for us—a standard much different than conformity.  This standard is transformation.  We are not to imitate each other but rather be imitators of Christ.  We are to be changed or transformed from who and what we are into the likeness of Christ.  Paul put it this way, “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” (Romans 12:2).  Paul tells us to fight the temptation to conform to whatever others may be doing.  Our standard is not to look like others but to look like Christ.  After we have come to faith in Christ and experienced justification by grace through faith where the Lord pronounces us innocent of our sins, then we begin the lifelong process of sanctification whereby we grow in Christlikeness.
            How do we experience transformation?  Thankfully, there are some blessings and resources that God makes available to us.  First, we have the Holy Spirit living in us.  The moment we come to faith in Christ, the Holy Spirit takes up residence in us.  We are not living alone.  We are not living in isolation or a vacuum.  We are not left just to try harder.  The Holy Spirit comes to begin producing His fruit in us—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.  We are not going to produce this fruit by trying harder or looking to imitate someone whom we like or admire. 
            Second, we have God’s Word.  We gain insight into God’s ways and heart and how He would like for us to live.  Rather than sifting through public opinion or the trial-and-error way of walking through life, we have the beauty and authority of God’s Word to guide us and shine forth.  As Psalm 119:11 says, “I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.”  The Word hidden in us shows us how to live, walk, serve, worship and grow in the likeness of Christ.  Like John the Baptist, we want to decrease while He (Christ) increases in us.  God’s Word guides us on the pathway to spiritual maturity.
            Third, we have the privilege and power of prayer.  Prayer reminds us that we are not alone.  We are not left to our own wits to figure out what to do or how to navigate a certain situation.  We can take things to God in prayer.  We can carry our joys and burdens to Him.  We can carry the things that are confusing and confounding to Him.  We can find the courage and confidence we need from Him.  Prayer teaches us to lean on the Lord and to lean into His gracious arms and enduring strength.
            Fourth, we have other believers to help us find our way through life.  We can lean on them too and listen to the counsel they offer to us.  They can hold us accountable when we may be struggling in our faith and trust.  They can pray for us and intercede on our behalf.  They can offer godly advice born out of their study of Scripture and their experiences with the Lord God.  Colossians 3:16 says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”
            Think about where God may be calling for a transformation in your life.  Instead of conforming to others or pursuing the same old, same old, seek the Lord for change and transformation.  Look to Him to supply your needs—including the need to be transformed more than conforming to the ways of this life.  The Bible makes this promise to us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).  Have a great Monday! Remember you can share our worship any time at YouTube.com/FirstBaptistKannapolis.