![[Photo of a Scripture verse]](https://www.deankwilson.com/Blog_images/Romans_12_2_v02.jpg)
| “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” |
| —Romans 12:2 |
Does society shape us? Or, do we shape society? Those two questions offer a clear distinction. Either we are molded into the image created by our society. Or, we persist in attempting to influence the molding of our society into an image of holiness because of what Christ has done for us and because the Holy Spirit dwells within us.
Some Christians believe they should do their best to live their lives without ever trying to have an influence on society as a whole. Yet Christ told us in Matthew 5:13-16:
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
This means that, as followers of Jesus, our very presence in this world is intended to have a definite and profound effect on our society. To deny this responsibility doesn’t make it go away. Rather, to deny the responsibility that Jesus has given us takes us to a place of disobedience.
We cannot “go along to get along” in this world. The Presence of Christ within us, by the indwelling Holy Spirit, makes us different than those around us who have not yet come to understand the gift of mercy, love, and grace that God has given to those He has called to Himself.
The Apostle Paul offered these words of instruction, as recorded in Romans 12:2:
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
As we begin a new day, we do well if we keep in mind that what we wear, where we go, what we say, where we spend our time, the way we act, the way we think, the way we live should not be influenced by the societal norms around us. Rather, we should be the ones setting the trends. That’s right. For the sake of the gospel, we are trendsetters. Or, at the very least, we should be.
It’s really hard not to try to fit into this world. If we want to disappear into the fabric of society around us, we have to be like the people who populate that society. But, if we want to truly influence the world for God, we will necessarily be different, if for no other reason that we do not fit into the pattern of the world.
It’s a sobering reality. But, it is also the reality of having our sights set on pleasing the One who loves us with His everlasting love. We can either be loved by the world or loved by God. But, we will never fit into the fabric of both this world and the world to come. We have to choose to which one we belong.
