Godly Non-conformity – Romans 12:1-2

 Like a few of you I grew up in the 1960’s. I was not lost in the 60’s; actually I was found during those 60’s. The Lord in His grace saved my soul – and my life – at a time when pivotal decisions stood before me. I was spared the destruction of drugs, and I didn’t yet have the money to start smoking and drinking. I was diverted from potential immorality, and drawn away from other vices and vocations which could have taken me in directions which would have made my life today an impossibility. With the added influence of being in the school band rather than having nothing else to do after school, I matured in a different direction and atmosphere than many. But as I say, I did grow up in the 60’s. As a Christian, but draftable, my perspective on the war was different from most of my peers. The Lord gave me a different attitude toward authority, and a different kind of respect for others. In fact, my perspective on the world was entirely different than most of my schoolmates and friends. I was given a Biblical world-view. Although I wouldn’t claim for a moment any degree of sinlessness, the Lord was very kind toward me.

I suppose that it is as true today as it was back in the 1960’s, but even then I saw an inconsistency in what was called “non-conformity.” I saw people rebelling against their parents, against authorities, and against society in general. I heard them say that they refused to be mindless sheep or lemmings running head-long over the same cliffs as everyone else. They said that they wanted to think for themselves, try new things, experiment and push back the envelop. But what I actually saw, were mindless and foolish people joining other foolish people in smaller herds and flocks, jumping over steeper and more dangerous cliffs than their predecessors. While shouting, “We are non-conformists,” they were conforming to standards and patterns that were far more stupid and dangerous than the old and more common mores and standards of society. And at least 8 times out of 10 those new conformities had something to do with sin.

Throughout history, true non-conformity has actually been a conformity to the Lord. Ever since the sin of Adam, mankind has been seeking to eat of the forbidden fruit. Man has, in an evil way, wanted to be like the Most High God. So we’ve all been gathering under the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, hoping to be hit on the head with some sort of new and exhilarating falling produce. And sometimes we have, but it has always ended up with the same conclusion and punishment – expulsion from the presence of the Lord. The vast majority of humanity is living lives of varying degrees of insanity due to sin, and the true non-conformist doesn’t merely choose different sin, but no sin at all by conforming to the Lord. He doesn’t choose a different form of the world, but he chooses things of the Kingdom of Heaven. Non-conformity means pulling away from the things of the world, the people of the world and from sin. “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.”

What is it – this “WORLD” to which we are not to conform?It is important that we understand this word before we get ourselves into trouble. It’s like the word “son.” If I quote I John 5:12 – “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life,” some heathen worshiper of the sun, moon and stars might mistake what I was trying to say. He might say that the star at the center of our solar system is the “sun of God,” and get confused. We have to be using the same spelling and the same definition to get this point correct. There are several Greek words which are translated “world.” A couple of them mean only “dry land” – the terrestrial world – as opposed to the oceans and seas. This is not the kind of world to which Paul was referring. But if you stop for a moment, that would not be an inappropriate application in some ways. As I just suggested there are people who worship nature and the world which God created. There are a thousand ways in which Christians should not pattern themselves after that kind of world. There are people like ravening wolves seeking to devour other people and people’s fortunes – don’t be like the wolf. There are others who are as sly and devious as foxes and as seductive as vixens. Some are as stupid as stumps and stones – don’t be like them either. Christians shouldn’t be as grumpy as bears or as slippery as eels. Am I being silly? Well, to some degree maybe I am. But what about this? It is a common fashion style today to dress in camouflage – to wear the same colors as nature. Believe me, there is no sin involved in looking like a tree or a bush. But generally those who wear that kind of clothing are not doing so to enhance their chances of shooting an elk. They aren’t doing it because they have just returned from maneuvers with the National Guard. Most people who wear “camo” are doing it in imitation of people whose hearts and souls live and will die in another kind of world. Most people who wear “camo,” especially those who wear it to church, do so as a statement – and that statement, generally speaking, does not glorify God. It is a conformity to the world, and I guarantee that the Lord is not pleased with it.

There are two primary words translated “world” in our Bibles – “aion” (ahee-ohn) and “kosmos.” I saw a very helpful comment the other day which differentiated those words for me. It said that “aion” refers to the world in the sense of time, and “kosmos” refers to the world in the sense of space. “Kosmos” is always translated “world” except in one verse – I Peter 3:3 – “Ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the conversation of the wives; While they behold your chaste conversation coupled with fear. Whose ADORNING (kosmos) let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel.” This word “kosmos” refers to a real and physical kind of world, an here and now world, which colors everything that it touches. This verse in I Peter 3:3, although directed to ladies, speaks about everything that any of us wear – including “camo,” baggy, saggy pants, sloppy T-shirts, low cut blouses and short skirts. It relates to our jewelry, our hair cuts, our shoes – everything. Be not conformed to this kind of world which makes its decisions and plans contrary to the will of the Lord.

The word which is actually used in Romans 12:2 is “aion” (ahee-ohn). Found just over a hundred times in the Bible, it is translated “world” about forty times, and the rest of the time it is translated “ever,” “evermore,” or “age.” Literally Paul is saying, “Be not conformed to this AGE with its sins and un-Christian attitudes.”

As we are taught elsewhere, Satan has a kingdom which stands in opposition to the Kingdom of God. It is a silly and futile rebellion, but it is one which began shortly after the commencement of creation. The Devil cannot be victorious against the omnipotent God, and the Lord is permitting this ongoing rebellion simply to enhance His ultimate glory. However with the permission of Jehovah, Satan’s relationship to God’s creation is as it’s wicked governor. Satan is for all practical purposes “the god of this world.” In verse after verse the Lord Jesus, the Apostle Paul and others refer to Satan in this way. He is “the god of this WORLD (and) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” Christ repeatedly called him “the prince of this WORLD,” in contrast to Jesus who is the Christ of God. Paul said, “in time past (we) walked according to the course of this WORLD, according to the PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.” “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this WORLD, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” And the Apostle John said, “We know that we are of God, and the whole WORLD lieth in wickedness.”

What this means in regard to Romans 12:2 is that the age and kingdom which are governed by Lucifer – Satan, the Devil – should not be the Christian’s pattern of life. We are living in a world belonging to and dominated by Satan, but we are children of Jehovah.

Paul kindly exhorts us not to be conformed to this world which is so clearly governed by God’s enemy.The word “conformed” is rare in God’s word; it is found only here and in one parallel verse. But it really is quite impossible to misunderstand. The only other place where it is used is in I Peter 1. After praising God for election and salvation, the Apostle goes on to encourage those saints in their sufferings. Then he says, “Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, NOT FASHIONING yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” The words “not fashioning” are the same that Paul uses right here. And these take us back to what Peter said to the ladies in I Peter 3 – “Ye wives… let your ADORNING let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel.” To be “conformed” is to follow fashions which are determined by others. And the exhortation of this verse is not the follow the dictates of a world controlled by Satan. Be a non-conformist.

Of course, there are Christians and there are those who pretend or profess to be Christians. Those who have been redeemed and converted become, in a sense, temples of the Lord. They are indwelt by the Holy Spirit of Christ. They are new creatures in the Lord. And whereas they were spiritually blind, now they have the ability to see. In a sense, they “can do all things through Christ who strengtheneth them.” Practically speaking, they have a new King, a new Governor, and that government can be heard from within. The saints of God do not need to be conformed to this world, because they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit who should be governing them from within their hearts.

The Apostle John makes and important statement about this subject in I John 2 – “Love not the WORLD (the kosmos), neither the things that are in the WORLD. If any man love the WORLD, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. And the WORLD passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” Not only does John say that love of the world indicates a lack of love for the Lord. And not only does he say that it is foolish to love the world, because that world passeth away. In fact it will be destroyed by the fire of God, in much the same way as Sodom and Gomorrah. But John also relates to the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and human pride. People become worldly as they soak the world in through their eyes, ears and other senses. And as they become more and more worldly, the pride of life kicks in and bonds it to their hearts like the glue that is used to hold aircraft together. The Christian on the other hand should not be lead about by his nose or any of his other senses. The saint of God should be lead by the Holy Spirit who resides in his heart and Who teaches the Bible.

Just for fun the other day, I asked my computer to give me a website of common maxims. A maxim is defined as succinct expression of a fundamental principle – a general truth, a rule of conduct. The first website that I checked gave me 20 of these maxims, many of which we hear often. Some of them are outstanding, but what about these? A barking dog won’t bite; lightning never strikes twice; an apple a day keeps the doctor away. The world might tell us that these are principles to live by – but they aren’t necessarily true. And what about these: “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” Actually, that kind of person will generally only be your friend as long as you meet his needs. The Bible teaches almost the opposite – when we are in need, then we discover who our friends really are, and there is One Friend who sticketh closer than a brother – the Lord Jesus Christ. How about the human maxim, “Better safe than sorry.” I suppose that is true in some situations, but there are others when the Lord asks that we risk all that we have for the service and glory of God. In those cases to be safe is sin. How about “honesty is the best policy.” That is a worldly principle which leaves the door open for periodic dishonesty. The Holy Spirit teaches the Christian heart that honesty is the only policy. The world says, “The grass is greener on the other side.” Rarely is that ever true. You may smile and think that I’m filling my message with wood, hay and stubble. But all that I’m trying to do is point out that the world can be subtle in its misleadings and rebellion. Be not conformed to the maxims, public sentiment, the sins, and even the laws of the world – when they are in contradiction to the Lord.

And why should we be non-conformists like this?Because what is good and right and acceptable, is always good, right and acceptable. Sin is always sin, and therefore it is always wrong. Since Satan’s world is predicated on sin, conformity to that world is always on the cusp of sin. As such the world is doomed; it cannot continue once the Lord’s righteous Kingdom is established. And remember that friendship with the world is enmity with God. When the Lord’s Kingdom is established, what is to become with those who have fraternized with the enemy? Remember Lot’s wife? Do we have any right to think that as the wife of a saint of God, she too was a believer? Why was she consumed? Because she loved the world, and her heart was conformed to it. Remember Lot’s wife, and purpose to learn from her. And do you remember Achan? His heart was filled with love for the fashion and fortune of the world. He made a choice between transformed and conformed, but he made the wrong choice, and he died. Was the same true of Judas? Demas? “What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world and loose his own soul?”

But even before that eventful day God’s judgment, worldly connections are spiritually destructive. The Holy Spirit is grieved with our sinfulness and our worldliness. The Christian who has brought his life into conformity with the world cannot pray, cannot worship, cannot serve the Lord like the Christian who has toed the line that God has drawn.

As I was preparing I read a statement which hit the nail on the head, and I’d like to close by reading it: “The word which is commonly rendered “world,” when applied to the material universe, is “cosmos.” The word used here properly denotes an age, or generation of men. It may denote a particular generation, or it may be applied to the race. It is sometimes used in each of these senses. Thus here it may mean, that Christians should not conform to the maxims, habits, feelings, etc., of a wicked, luxurious, and idolatrous age, but should be conformed solely to the precepts and laws of the gospel. Or the same principle may be extended to every age, and the direction may be, that Christians should not conform to the prevailing habits, style, and manners of the world – the people who know not God. They are to be governed by the laws of the Bible; to fashion their lives after the example of Christ; and to form themselves by principles different from those which prevail in the world. In the application of this rule there is much difficulty. Many may think that they are not conformed to the world, while they can easily perceive that their neighbour is. They indulge in many things which others may think to be conformity to the world, and they are opposed to many things which others think innocent. The design of this passage is doubtless to produce a spirit that should not find pleasure in the pomp and vanity of the world; and which will regard all vain amusements and gaieties with disgust, and lead the mind to find pleasure in better things.”

If the world under the control of Satan is going to be destroyed, and we know that it is. Then wisdom demands that every Christian distance himself as much as possible from that world. He must look, behave, think, love and hope in a Heavenly, God-fearing, fashion. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” The Christian must present his body, a living sacrifice to God. It is acceptable to God, and it is thoroughly reasonable. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”

Do you say that you’d rather not obey God in these things? Then the question becomes: Are you sure that you are a Child of God? Remember that to be a friend of the world is to be an enemy of God.