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:
- The Fashions of the World — looking like the world
- The Philosophies of the World — talking like the world
- 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.