Do not
conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2
I think you’ll agree: it is far easier to “go with the flow” than
to work against the current. To conform to the way our society lives and thinks
and acts … that doesn’t take much effort. To swim against the stream is hard.
It takes intentionality. It takes effort. It means sometimes bumping painfully
into those who are moving in the opposite direction.
The Christian life may not be easy;
but God calls us to be different, in
the world but not of the world (John 17:14-16). We are to be a peculiar people (1
Peter 2:9, KJV), uncommon,
countercultural. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but
be transformed …” (Romans
12:2).
You might ask: “How does that
transforming happen?” Great question! Notice that Paul doesn’t say, “transform
yourself.” He says, “be transformed.” A quick look at 2 Corinthians 3:18 gives
us a clue — “we, who…all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed” (same word as Rom. 12:2) “into His likeness with
ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Two key thoughts here: 1) the work of transforming is done by
God, through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. My church, Faith Lutheran in Appleton, WI, has a vision
statement that begins with these important words: “Transformed
by Christ to live generous and purposeful lives.” God is doing the work. Paul says elsewhere that God, “who began a
good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).
2) Notice God’s transforming work is a process. It is not a single event, but a
lifetime of shaping. Isaiah likens God to a potter sculpting clay — “we are all
the work of Your hand,” he says (Isaiah
64:8). God uses life
experiences (even the hard ones) to mold us. He uses relationships with other
Christians to correct and encourage us. But most importantly, God uses His
Word, the Bible, to guide and shape our spirits. This is the most important
reason why we memorize scripture, why we read devotions and listen to sermons
that explain the Bible — God is using His Word for His work of transforming you
by the renewing of your mind.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, thank
you for Your transforming work in me. Help me commit today to knowing Your Word
better. Renew my mind. Lead me to be more like Christ, and to live an uncommon
life. Amen.
"Since you refuse to listen when I call ... since you diregard all my advice ... I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you." Proverbs 1:24-26
I know that God is different. My faith believes what He says in Isaiah 55 — "My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways." But that really hit me today in a Bible study on Proverbs.
According to Proverbs, Wisdom (personified as a woman who calls out in the public square to teach anyone who would listen) is unforgiving — a sort of cold, cause-effect realist. Wisdom points to the reality of how the world works: "Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth" (Proverbs 10:4); "A kind man benefits himself, but a cruel man brings trouble on himself" (Proverbs 11:17). There's nothing particularly religious or spiritual about that — it's just how the world works. Consider a few professional athletes who are arrogant and selfish ... and how they pile trouble on themselves and invite the disdain of teammates and fans. (Contrast them with the great team players, who work and play with humility and a teachable spirit.) In countless ways we all pile up trouble in our lives by foolishness. We have family members, coworkers, and neighbors who seem to be magnets for trouble ... because of the choices they've made.
Wisdom points to those who live foolishly, who have chosen to pile up trouble, and says: "If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But since you rejected me when I called ... I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you — when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when distress and trouble overwhelm you" (Proverbs 1:23-27).
In contrast to Wisdom, God does not abandon us to the mess we've made. Like the father in Jesus' parable of the prodigal son, God is full of compassion and always ready to welcome. In fact, God's entire plan of redemption in Jesus Christ shows that God's way is fundamentally different. As one of my favorite verses reminds us: "God demonstrates His love for us in this: while we were still sinners Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). He entered our mess. He willingly, lovingly pursued us. And not because we had figured it all out and straightened ourselves out. "While we were still sinners"! While Wisdom is unforgiving, God is full of mercy.
What really stood out to me today is this: If God is willing to step into our junk ... what should our Christian response be to our children, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, when they have brought all kinds of trouble on themselves? Turn away, saying: "You brought this on yourself. You have to face the consequences"? No!
No doubt, it would be unloving to enable someone in their foolish ways. And according to the ways of Wisdom, we'd be justified in abandoning them to their mess. But I am convinced that the Godly life is marked by a willingness to enter another person's hurt — even the hurt they've piled on themselves — with compassion. We usually can't take away the earthly consequences for them. But we CAN walk with them and say: "I am here with you. I am here for you. I will not abandon you." This is the way of God, who says, "Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you."
What does Godly compassion look like for you these days?
