Have you ever looked at a row of apartment buildings or duplexes that all looked exactly the same as each other and thought to yourself, What a boring place to live? Each building, each yard and driveway, everything all exactly the same. I have driven through a neighborhood like this and I know that I certainly couldn’t live like that. I would want my home to look different than everyone else’s, not to be exactly the same.
We are called to be different from the rest of the world when we become Christians, not to be the same as them. Those outside of Christ may live in their sins and dwell in wickedness, and truthfully we all have come from a place like this, but when we become Christians Jesus calls us to come out of the world, and away from the sinful lifestyle of the rest of the world. We may have once been “conformed” to the way that the world lives, but now Jesus calls us to become “transformed” and serve God.
Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And 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.
When something is “conformed” it means to be similar in form or type, or to agree. To be all alike. So what we need to do is not be like the world. We need to not behave and live the way that the unbelievers live, but instead we must become “transformed.”
“Transform” means to change the outward form or appearance of; to change in character or condition, and to convert. So basically this means that instead of living the way that the world lives, we must live the way that God wants us to live. We must turn away from sin, and live according to the will of the Lord.
This is what the Lord called Paul to do when He appeared to him when he became converted.
Acts 26:16-18 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Some people do not like change, but that is what Christianity is: change. It is the change (conversion) from a life of sin to a life of repentance. It is a change away from sin and immortality to a life of goodness, righteousness, and truth. We must change and become converted if we desire to do the will of the Lord and receive eternal life.
Why are people in prison? Because they broke the law, or at least that should be the reason. They have done something illegal and they are there as a punishment. The time served in prison may vary depending on the crime committed, it may be rather short or it may be a lifetime. But imagine if someone could only be released from prison if they made the decision that they would change their life around and become a completely different person, one who did good instead of bad? This would be great, wouldn’t it? Well this is what we must do when we follow Jesus. We must turn away from the sins of the world, becoming different from it, and transform ourselves to servants of Christ.
Change is required, and it needs to happen now. Turn away from sin, don’t conform to it. Be transformed and serve the Lord.
In Christ
Andrew
Teufer Lake King James Bible Church 