“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.” (Romans 12:2)
To be conformed into the image of something necessitates that what you are conforming yourself into already exists, it is you adapting or modifying yourself into what you are not, into what you want to be by association.
And since the majority of people on this planet are of the world, it is quite easy to find your place in it, for no matter what you choose, in some circle you will be accepted.
To be transformed by the renewing of your mind has only one thing in common with conforming to this world, and it is that both are free will choices we make.
“Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.” (Jer. 1:5)
Again, I will not delve into the doctrine of election here, we have free will and the Almighty is Sovereign, both are true, it is the choices we make that define us in this regard, we can choose what place in society we desire to be a part of, or we can choose to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our minds to the glory of God.
The only thing that sets us apart from those that are unrepentant is that they have no choice to be transformed in their minds, for no one can do this without guidance and direction from the Holy Spirit.
The following words of our Savior must happen first.
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)
“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3)
It is those then this short letter is directed to, those who have been born-again and just how much of your mind has been transformed.
It really is quite an easy test we must put ourselves through, but one that requires much in-depth contemplation of who you were before the cross of Christ and who you are today, the person you were before the Holy Spirit entered into your life, and not who you believe yourself to be now, but the visible proofs of your salvation.
You received at least one gift; do you know what it is and are you using it for His glory? If you have been saved for any length of time, have you lost family members and good friends, or has their acquaintance at least diminished because of your words, actions and deeds done for the Lord Jesus Christ?
Have you learned to hate the world, do you detest the actions of the wicked, do you weep and feel great anger at the same time when you hear of your brothers and sisters in Christ suffering persecutions?
Are those you call your family in the Almighty more precious to you than the family you once knew so intimately, are you carrying their burdens for them.
Are you learning how not only to truly love, but accept love as well?
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” (Eze. 36:26)
The transforming of our mind necessitates a diminishing of our conforming to the world, there is no other way. And it can only be done by our free will, by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us, to direct us away from the world and towards the Lord Jesus Christ.
Virtue is never forced upon any of us, but when it is offered, it must be freely accepted by us.
The world, the prince of the power of the air has little concern for the wicked my friends, he is concerned with offering what it is you have always been used to, what you used to seek after continuously.
“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” (1st John 2:16)
Being transformed is offered, never forced upon us, it must be your choice to do so.
