“Do not conform any longer 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, New International Version)
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:2, New Living Translation)
I’ve spent my entire life involved in church and ministry. (By “entire” life, I mean “so far”—I’m not planning for it to be over today!) I sang my first solo in church at the age of 3, almost 50 years ago. My first “ministry position” was, at age 15, the volunteer music director of our little Baptist church. That was just over 37 years ago. To say I have seen a lot of changes in the church and in the culture would be an understatement of laughable proportions.
One thing that has been a topic of conversation for as long as I can remember is the idea of worldliness creeping into the church. Examples abound: music styles, dress, sermon topics, preaching styles, church schedules, Bible translations … You get the point.
And I’m pretty sure that the Apostle Paul wasn’t thinking of any of those issues when he wrote Romans 12:2. So, what was he talking about when he said not to “conform to the pattern of this world” (NIV) or “copy the behavior and customs of this world” (NLT)?
Back in the days when it was still pretty much expected that the preacher would wear coat and tie on Sunday morning, I preached from this passage wearing jeans, t-shirt, and sandals. I reminded the congregation that coat & tie were also external customs. They were simply customs of a different era that had gained acceptance and had come to be viewed as normative. The same is true of 3 point sermons delivered by someone standing behind a wooden pulpit.
I reminded them that Paul was talking about our thought processes, values, attitudes, and worldview. That’s why he didn’t tell them to change their customs, but to allow God to transform them by the “renewing of your mind” or “changing the way you think.”
Of course, I still had a couple of people that were offended that I was dressed “inappropriately.” Worldly patterns that have been baptized die hard, but a pig in a suit is still a pig.
Question: What are some patterns or customs of this world that should be of legitimate concern for followers of Christ?
Leave a comment below. I’d love to learn from your perspective.
