Conformed or transformed?

“Be not conformed to this world” … how many of us have heard these words again and again. But do
we really know what they mean? All of us need to pay attention to what we read in the Word.
Superficial – and such is many times our Bible reading – does not do anything.

“Be not conformed to this world” – the Greek word translated as conformed here means co-shaped,
co-formed. What the Word is telling us here is: do not be or become of the same shape, same form, co-
formed, with this world. We are different brothers and sisters. A Christian is different!! We do not
belong to this world. And yet many of us cannot miss listening to the news, worry about what this world
worries (call it recession, bird flu, swine flu, name it), doing what this world does, speaking about what
this world speaks. Now if we think, hear, speak and do what this world thinks, hears, speaks and does
then guess what? We are co-shaped, co-formed with this world. And as long as the world and its worries
and “joys” occupy your life be sure: you will not grow in Christ.

“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. ”

Instead of conformed to the world we should be transformed. Now to be transformed means to

change form to become something of different form, shape. What should our new form be then? The
answer is simple: CHRIST. As Paul says in Galatians 4:19

“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is FORMED IN YOU”

See this word FORMED! Christ, who lives in us, is our new form! And as Colossians 3:2 tells us:

“Set your mind on things above, NOT on things on the earth.”

 Could it be made clearer? Transformation is done by renewing of the mind and it is up to you
where you will set your mind on, with just 2 options out there: the things on the earth and the things
above. The first option will make you a spiritual pigmy, a born again Christian that is just a baby that
never grows, spiritually retarded but on choice i.e. you choose to never grow despite all the potential
that is called CHRIST in you. The second option means spiritual growth, Christ formed in you, close
fellowship with the living God, whom you have tasted and know how good He is. And as I Peter 2:2 tells
us:

“as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby,”

Growth comes through the Word of God. You need the Word in order to grow. Not religious
teaching that sound moral and pious but teachings of the Word! And again as the Lord said:

John 8:32

“And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

What is truth? Christ again, speaking to God, His Father said: “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your
word [hence the Word of God] is truth.” The truth, the Word of God, will make you free. Will you seek
this Word? Where we set our mind on is something CRITICAL. We will either be co-formed with this
world or we will grow, be transformed by choosing - and it is a CHOICE and one that WE make – to
renew our minds by setting it on things above and not on things of this earth, by feeding it with the
Word of God so that we grow thereby.

«For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting
down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every
thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ» (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)