And be not conformed to this world...1
The Greek word for conform here is sysxēmatízō (from sýn, meaning "identified with, together with" and sxēmatizō, "having outward shape") properly it means assuming a similar outward form by following the same pattern (model, mold).2 The Greek word for world here is aiṓn which means properly an age or time-span characterized by a specific quality.3 So to say to not be conformed to the world is to say; together with Jesus assume his outward shape or image by following the pattern or model characterized by the qualities of Him. I present my body a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto him, this is my divine service, now together with him I conform to His image. I can not do this without him, I must diligently seek the things of God; word and spirit, I must abide in him who is the word of God, I must eat the bread of life and drink the living water, together with him conforming to his image. And I need to participate in his suffering.
Do not be conformed to this world. Conforming to this world is to assume its qualities or distinctive attributes or character of its people and its world system. To not conform is to conform to the kingdom of God, it is coming out and being separate, it is to conform to Jesus and to assume his qualities or distinctive attributes or character. The definition above states it is an outward conformity, as the inward change has already taken place, we have trusted and believed and have his holy spirit of promise in us.4 This implicitly implies that I do not mirror his image outwardly, so I must be conformed to his image. I need to work out this salvation in me. My mind doesn't want to do such a thing. This is were the doctrines of men disagree, if I am a new creation then I am I instantly conformed to his image?. Paul is a good example where God did not conform instantly; messengers of Satan were sent to torment him, God allows this as in our weakness, Christ becomes stronger in us, we conforming to His image, this is sanctification.
To conform to his image is to walk in him, to walk in him is be rooted and built up in him, established in the faith, in his principles. To be not conformed to this world is to not accept doctrines and teachings of men, these take you captive by philosophy and empty seduction according to basic principles, human traditions, and spirits of the world, not of Christ.4 Here the Greek word stoixeíon is defined as a heavenly body or an element. Since it is philosophy and traditions Paul speaks of, then properly and in part it is referring to principles or fundamentals, like with the basic components of a philosophy, structure, or figuratively first principles, like the basic fundamentals of Christianity.5 The basic principles of the world are from the prince of this world, the prince of the power of the air, to conform to them is to conform opposite to the principles of Christ. To be filled in him is to understand the whole godhead exists in him.
We are complete in Christ, he circumcised us not of the flesh but an inward one, this sets us apart from the world. The old covenant circumcision was not just symbolic it set his people apart. When God sent Moses to the Pharaoh to demand that his people be set free, on the way God meets him and finds one of his sons is not circumcised, he is about to take Moses's life for such, but his wife intervenes.6 This is a serious matter to God, to revere Him is the beginning of wisdom and understanding, to revere men is a snare. Today, we are to be set apart in our heart and mind. We die with him in baptism, rise with him through faith. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.6 Seek God things. Put to death your members, where sin dwells, put off this old man, crucify him, Christ has already nailed him to the cross. All fleshly desires in you are unrighteous. Put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.7 As the elect of God, put on mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering...But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.8 I do not put on salvation like clothing, on and off, but I do put on flesh or spirit according to what I think and do.
Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, his principles are important. Conforming to his image, being holy, is required by him as I am now his child. In my inner being I do love his laws, but the things that I do not want to do I do and the things I want to do, I do not. The law of sin and death still exists in my members and wars against my soul and spirit, so what do I do? For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. The battle is in my mind, it is at enmity against God and it can not be subjected to the laws of God, so I need to subject it to the mind of Christ. And with the mind of Christ I can give life to this mortal body, if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.5 How do I have the mind of Christ?
If Jesus is the word of God, author of faith and how my mind is renewed then I must think on his things. Well, fortunately for us his sayings are written down in the Bible. To have the mind of Christ I need to renew it and this doesn't happen overnight. We are what we repeatedly do. It has been proven that our brain develops electrical pathways, how we think and perceive things are recorded like maps or directions to follow. This is like a computer program or scripting that becomes programmed over the years. It can be the basic principles of this world, doctrines, or traditions of men, either way it is not of the basic principles of Christ. We must reprogram our minds with a better program. This takes developing new pathways or maps which can be done through creating new habits. It is proven that habits take anywhere from four to six weeks to develop, so it takes some sacrifice on our part. Through a committed reading and meditation of his word, which is living and active with his spirit teaching and guiding I can have the mind of Christ. And with such he breathes life into my mortal body.
Many of our conflicts and dilemmas we face in life are often the products of bad scripting. if we were to conform our mind to that of Christ think of the issues we could solve. Stephen Covey writes a better way to think is to look for a another alternative.7 The problem with human reasoning is that it tends to emotionally identify with positions to the point that we can not get past it. You are wrong and I am right, it is a win or lose mentality. This seems to be a problem in our country and our church. We won the cold war thus you are a loser, but another alternative says we both win, as democracy and friendship wins. A division in our church happens, I believe in free will, you believe in predestination, win, lose... A third alternative could say, I have free will but he is God, I am just a man. The golden rule, treat others as you would want to be treated, can be lived out looking for the third alternative. If I know my neighbor, his kids go to school with mine, I have lunch with him etc... then I am less likely to demonize him and more willing to work out any issues with him. I will treat him like myself.
Our gospel is powerful if like the early followers of Jesus they say of us, you are like Christ! Or they say of us, you are messengers of peace, such glorifies God. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Zion reigns!8
Part of the problem is that we are bombarded with doctrines and teaching of men and because of such people say what is truth? I must understand and teach the basic principles of Christianity and I must allow the holy spirit to lead into all truth. Jesus said he would send us a helper, when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority.9 This helper whom the Father sends in the name of Jesus, he will teach in all things and bring to our remembrance all the sayings of Jesus.10 When I limit my thinking to that of human doctrine and teachings then I limit God. We need revelation in the things of God, not just a head knowledge. and we need to do, as faith produces works, without which we have no faith. It is easy to say I love God, but not follow his instructions, it is easy to follow instructions without loving God, but either one is being not of him or lukewarm. I must renew my mind. If we are his children then we are debtors to live by the spirit not the flesh, the flesh brings death, the spirit life and peace. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. But to do such I must sacrifice the flesh, my will for His will.
For me to live is Christ, to die is gain, Dying to self is not an easy thing but I conform through suffering. Malachi prophesied of Jesus; The messenger of the covenant is coming... But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire... To be willing to be refined by him is to suffer with him, it shows our love for him, how serious we are to our commitment to follow him. Suffering refines and conforms us, together with him, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.11 As the refiner of silver knows, it takes fire to heat up the silver to remove the impurities. He is the potter we are the clay, he molds or conforms the vessel for the service it is intended. I must submit to the potter. If I mold myself I become as the legalistic Pharisees or have a grace that deemed cheap. From brokenness he molds us into beautiful things.
The Greek word for conform here is sysxēmatízō (from sýn, meaning "identified with, together with" and sxēmatizō, "having outward shape") properly it means assuming a similar outward form by following the same pattern (model, mold).2 The Greek word for world here is aiṓn which means properly an age or time-span characterized by a specific quality.3 So to say to not be conformed to the world is to say; together with Jesus assume his outward shape or image by following the pattern or model characterized by the qualities of Him. I present my body a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto him, this is my divine service, now together with him I conform to His image. I can not do this without him, I must diligently seek the things of God; word and spirit, I must abide in him who is the word of God, I must eat the bread of life and drink the living water, together with him conforming to his image. And I need to participate in his suffering.
Do not be conformed to this world. Conforming to this world is to assume its qualities or distinctive attributes or character of its people and its world system. To not conform is to conform to the kingdom of God, it is coming out and being separate, it is to conform to Jesus and to assume his qualities or distinctive attributes or character. The definition above states it is an outward conformity, as the inward change has already taken place, we have trusted and believed and have his holy spirit of promise in us.4 This implicitly implies that I do not mirror his image outwardly, so I must be conformed to his image. I need to work out this salvation in me. My mind doesn't want to do such a thing. This is were the doctrines of men disagree, if I am a new creation then I am I instantly conformed to his image?. Paul is a good example where God did not conform instantly; messengers of Satan were sent to torment him, God allows this as in our weakness, Christ becomes stronger in us, we conforming to His image, this is sanctification.
To conform to his image is to walk in him, to walk in him is be rooted and built up in him, established in the faith, in his principles. To be not conformed to this world is to not accept doctrines and teachings of men, these take you captive by philosophy and empty seduction according to basic principles, human traditions, and spirits of the world, not of Christ.4 Here the Greek word stoixeíon is defined as a heavenly body or an element. Since it is philosophy and traditions Paul speaks of, then properly and in part it is referring to principles or fundamentals, like with the basic components of a philosophy, structure, or figuratively first principles, like the basic fundamentals of Christianity.5 The basic principles of the world are from the prince of this world, the prince of the power of the air, to conform to them is to conform opposite to the principles of Christ. To be filled in him is to understand the whole godhead exists in him.
We are complete in Christ, he circumcised us not of the flesh but an inward one, this sets us apart from the world. The old covenant circumcision was not just symbolic it set his people apart. When God sent Moses to the Pharaoh to demand that his people be set free, on the way God meets him and finds one of his sons is not circumcised, he is about to take Moses's life for such, but his wife intervenes.6 This is a serious matter to God, to revere Him is the beginning of wisdom and understanding, to revere men is a snare. Today, we are to be set apart in our heart and mind. We die with him in baptism, rise with him through faith. If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.6 Seek God things. Put to death your members, where sin dwells, put off this old man, crucify him, Christ has already nailed him to the cross. All fleshly desires in you are unrighteous. Put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.7 As the elect of God, put on mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long suffering...But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.8 I do not put on salvation like clothing, on and off, but I do put on flesh or spirit according to what I think and do.
Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, his principles are important. Conforming to his image, being holy, is required by him as I am now his child. In my inner being I do love his laws, but the things that I do not want to do I do and the things I want to do, I do not. The law of sin and death still exists in my members and wars against my soul and spirit, so what do I do? For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. The battle is in my mind, it is at enmity against God and it can not be subjected to the laws of God, so I need to subject it to the mind of Christ. And with the mind of Christ I can give life to this mortal body, if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.5 How do I have the mind of Christ?
If Jesus is the word of God, author of faith and how my mind is renewed then I must think on his things. Well, fortunately for us his sayings are written down in the Bible. To have the mind of Christ I need to renew it and this doesn't happen overnight. We are what we repeatedly do. It has been proven that our brain develops electrical pathways, how we think and perceive things are recorded like maps or directions to follow. This is like a computer program or scripting that becomes programmed over the years. It can be the basic principles of this world, doctrines, or traditions of men, either way it is not of the basic principles of Christ. We must reprogram our minds with a better program. This takes developing new pathways or maps which can be done through creating new habits. It is proven that habits take anywhere from four to six weeks to develop, so it takes some sacrifice on our part. Through a committed reading and meditation of his word, which is living and active with his spirit teaching and guiding I can have the mind of Christ. And with such he breathes life into my mortal body.
Many of our conflicts and dilemmas we face in life are often the products of bad scripting. if we were to conform our mind to that of Christ think of the issues we could solve. Stephen Covey writes a better way to think is to look for a another alternative.7 The problem with human reasoning is that it tends to emotionally identify with positions to the point that we can not get past it. You are wrong and I am right, it is a win or lose mentality. This seems to be a problem in our country and our church. We won the cold war thus you are a loser, but another alternative says we both win, as democracy and friendship wins. A division in our church happens, I believe in free will, you believe in predestination, win, lose... A third alternative could say, I have free will but he is God, I am just a man. The golden rule, treat others as you would want to be treated, can be lived out looking for the third alternative. If I know my neighbor, his kids go to school with mine, I have lunch with him etc... then I am less likely to demonize him and more willing to work out any issues with him. I will treat him like myself.
Our gospel is powerful if like the early followers of Jesus they say of us, you are like Christ! Or they say of us, you are messengers of peace, such glorifies God. How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Zion reigns!8
Part of the problem is that we are bombarded with doctrines and teaching of men and because of such people say what is truth? I must understand and teach the basic principles of Christianity and I must allow the holy spirit to lead into all truth. Jesus said he would send us a helper, when the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority.9 This helper whom the Father sends in the name of Jesus, he will teach in all things and bring to our remembrance all the sayings of Jesus.10 When I limit my thinking to that of human doctrine and teachings then I limit God. We need revelation in the things of God, not just a head knowledge. and we need to do, as faith produces works, without which we have no faith. It is easy to say I love God, but not follow his instructions, it is easy to follow instructions without loving God, but either one is being not of him or lukewarm. I must renew my mind. If we are his children then we are debtors to live by the spirit not the flesh, the flesh brings death, the spirit life and peace. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. But to do such I must sacrifice the flesh, my will for His will.
For me to live is Christ, to die is gain, Dying to self is not an easy thing but I conform through suffering. Malachi prophesied of Jesus; The messenger of the covenant is coming... But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire... To be willing to be refined by him is to suffer with him, it shows our love for him, how serious we are to our commitment to follow him. Suffering refines and conforms us, together with him, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.11 As the refiner of silver knows, it takes fire to heat up the silver to remove the impurities. He is the potter we are the clay, he molds or conforms the vessel for the service it is intended. I must submit to the potter. If I mold myself I become as the legalistic Pharisees or have a grace that deemed cheap. From brokenness he molds us into beautiful things.
We must present our bodies a living sacrifice, this is our reasonable service, to do this I must have his word and his spirit in me, I must abide in him, his word, I conform to his image. His body the Church is here for a reason, we must all seek to be conformed in His body, the Church. We are living stones being built up into His holy temple. We must be holy for this purpose. The body builds itself up in love, with each member being conformed to his image. The enemy is active at distorting the image of Jesus, the truth, and his Church. We need to be diligent at having a humble heart and contrite spirit, seeking truth, and conforming to his image. This unity of Spirit in his church will conform people to his will and qualities, and the world will know Jesus is from God and we are his disciples.
My Delight is in You
My Delight is in You