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Conformity Versus Transformity

Conformity Versus Transformity

A sermon outline of Rev. James R. Reynolds, Sr.

TEXT: Romans 12:2

Romans 12:2— 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.

Introduction

  • There is a great struggle going on.

  • The Appeal of the conformist is to be like them that you not offend them — so you can win them.

The Believer Must Be A Non-Conformist

…Be not conformed…

  • The Gospel is not a a rule of CONTROVERSY.
  • The Gospel is a rule of DIRECTION.

The Believer is not different for the sake of being different. The Christian is going somewhere.

"conform" suschematizo [GREEK] — to fashion or shape one thing like another.

1 Peter 1:14—As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

"not FASHIONING" (same word, suschematizo, as in Romans 12:2 "conformed")

The Believer must not follow the following three things:

  1. The Fashions of the World — looking like the world
  2. The Philosophies of the World — talking like the world
  3. The Ways of the World — acting like the world

The Believer Must Be A New Creation

…but be ye transformed…

Jesus transfigured (transformed) before the disciples. (Why could they not see His glory? The Flesh. )

The Glory of Christ was let out. The veil of flesh was drawn aside.

The veil of our flesh must be drawn aside to let the Glory in

"metamorphoo" [GREEK] — to change into another former

  • meta — implying change
  • morph — implying former
  • morphe — lays stress on the inward change
  • schema — lays sress on the outward change

2 Corinthians 3:18—But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

We are "changed" / transformed as we behold Him:

  • In Faith — Revelation, etc.
  • In Obedience — doing His will
  • in Appropriation — partaking of His Divine nature

Remember only those that have been transformed will be translated.

Hebrews 11:5—By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.