When you were growing up, was there ever a time when you weren’t allowed to do something you really wanted to? Maybe you wanted to go to a movie that your parents said no to because it had certain things in it that you didn’t need to see. Maybe you wanted to go hang out with a certain group of people but your parents again told you no because that group of people was known to be bad news. Weren’t those moments embarrassing? I am sure there were times when you were not very happy with your mom and dad because you thought they were ruining your social life. We didn’t understand then that they were preparing us to be different from the world.
In Romans 12:1,2,
“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”
In these two powerful verses, Paul talks about how Christians should live. Paul uses a petition verb at the beginning of this verse. The phrase “I urge” comes from the Greek verb parakaleo. This verb denotes a strong exhortation to those receiving this message. If you like to highlight important things in your Bible, you should highlight this. So what is Paul strongly urging them to do? He wants them to present their lives as a living sacrifice. That results in the people providing spiritual service to God. Do not separate verse 2 from verse 1. Paul will now give two commands that will help carry out his petition. He says to “not be conformed” but “be transformed.” In short, Paul wants the people to look like the Lord and not like the world. This will take a renewed mind and focus on God’s word.
So why have I written to you about these two verses? How is living these two verses considered a trial? Christians are called to be different. Being different is a challenging life, and it will cause us to go through social trials.
- We will not get to do things like other people do.
- We will not be able to go places other people go.
- We will not be able to watch things other people watch.
- We will not be able to wear things other people wear.
I could keep going, but I think you will get the message. This makes our lives harder. It could cause us social embarrassment, and that trial alone has caused a lot of people to go through depression, anxiety, and much more. Please understand that there is joy in living differently from the world. We get to stand out and be different, and the reward of that life is wonderful.
Peter will put it this way in 1 Peter 1:3-5,
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.”
Be different from this world, sisters, and receive an amazing reward.
Heather Jones
Heather Jones, is a 2019 Graduate of Bear Valley Bible Institute with a Bachelors of Biblical Studies. Her and her husband and family live in Vance, Al where her husband, Matt Jones is the pulpit minister at the Mercedes Drive church of Christ. Heather has a book, Good Grief through Kaio publications. Her hobbies include photography, drinking coffee and hand embroidery.
