To Conform or Be Transformed?
Since the beginning, the church has struggled with conformity. How are we supposed to behave as Christ-followers? Merriam-Webster defines conformity as:
In societal groups (churches, schools, clubs, sports teams, even gangs), there are expectations of behavior. (Note: I'm not a sociologist, just an observer!) Just ask a high school student and she will tell you that expectations from fellow students are strong and real. For a church, these expectations can quickly devolve into "externalism" so that the focus becomes primarily what we "do" as opposed to what has been "done" by Another.
In other words, we focus on "conformity" rather than "transformation". Read what Paul wrote to the church in Rome:
How does He transform us? He transforms us by the renewing of our minds.
When we are transformed, we have experienced Metamorphosis, therefore, we think differently. Our priorities change - dramatically! Jesus captures our attention, our wonder, our awe, our true devotion. Like a diver remains concerned with the oxygen in his tank long after he submerges into deep water, we remain concerned with Jesus and how He keeps us alive - in Him.
Ok, if Jesus is the One who transforms us, what is our responsibility - what DO we DO? Check out the previous verse:
After spending 11 chapters explaining (in part) the mercy of God, Paul urges his readers to simply give themselves completely to God. Like a burnt sacrifice is consumed, so we are consumed as living sacrifices. And, when we are consumed by God as these living sacrifices, then we are transformed.
Simple? Sure. Easy? No.
Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) As His followers, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to get up each day and offer ourselves to the One who transforms us.
My prayer for our church (and me) is that we will, each day, seek transformation, not conformity; that we would be a church made up of all sorts of God's children - different ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, histories, and stories - looking at Christ first, loving Him as He loved us, then looking at each other in that love.
Conformity comes from the outside in. Transformation comes from the inside out. As Christ's followers, let us let His Holy Spirit, by His power and His Word shape us, change us, transform us into the likeness of the One who loved us, saved us, and leads us every day.
behavior that is the same as the behavior of most other people in a society, group, etc.Conformity can naturally occur in the larger society and smaller groups, like a church. And, I suppose we can expect that a group of people who claim an affinity for one another (or to a common Person) would think, speak, and act in a similar fashion. The challenge comes with the motivation (or cause) of the behavior. Is our motivation really to be like each other? To fit in?
In societal groups (churches, schools, clubs, sports teams, even gangs), there are expectations of behavior. (Note: I'm not a sociologist, just an observer!) Just ask a high school student and she will tell you that expectations from fellow students are strong and real. For a church, these expectations can quickly devolve into "externalism" so that the focus becomes primarily what we "do" as opposed to what has been "done" by Another.
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 (emphasis mine)Don't conform to what's around us - for "this world" can be anything of "this age", including extra-biblical expectations of a church - but instead be transformed. Did you catch that? Someone else transforms us. That word used in the Greek translation of this verse is the word we get our English word: Metamorphosis.
How does He transform us? He transforms us by the renewing of our minds.
When we are transformed, we have experienced Metamorphosis, therefore, we think differently. Our priorities change - dramatically! Jesus captures our attention, our wonder, our awe, our true devotion. Like a diver remains concerned with the oxygen in his tank long after he submerges into deep water, we remain concerned with Jesus and how He keeps us alive - in Him.
Ok, if Jesus is the One who transforms us, what is our responsibility - what DO we DO? Check out the previous verse:
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1 (emphasis mine)
After spending 11 chapters explaining (in part) the mercy of God, Paul urges his readers to simply give themselves completely to God. Like a burnt sacrifice is consumed, so we are consumed as living sacrifices. And, when we are consumed by God as these living sacrifices, then we are transformed.Simple? Sure. Easy? No.
Jesus says, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) As His followers, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are to get up each day and offer ourselves to the One who transforms us.
My prayer for our church (and me) is that we will, each day, seek transformation, not conformity; that we would be a church made up of all sorts of God's children - different ages, ethnicities, backgrounds, histories, and stories - looking at Christ first, loving Him as He loved us, then looking at each other in that love.
Conformity comes from the outside in. Transformation comes from the inside out. As Christ's followers, let us let His Holy Spirit, by His power and His Word shape us, change us, transform us into the likeness of the One who loved us, saved us, and leads us every day.
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