Apr 16-17 - 32 - 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.

Romans 12:2

Bible Rank: 32

Let me share with you an analogy …

 

We’re Jell-O.

 

And if sit anywhere long enough we (Jell-O) harden. And we take the shape – intentional or not – of whatever we happen to sit in.

 

If we sit long enough in a cup, we’re shaped like a cup. If we sit in a bowl, we’re take on the form of a bowl. I’ve never done this with a shoe, but if pour Jell-O in a pair of sneakers, it will stink … and it will be shaped like a shoe.

 

So why am I talking about Jell-O? Because the root word "form" is at the heart of this verse, and it speaks a powerful truth about our lives. It reminds us that we are all largely shaped and formed by the world around us.

 

We may wish we weren’t. We may argue that we’re all unique and have our own quirks. And while that’s true, we’re all also shaped by the world around us.

 

Sometimes we’re shaped for the better by the world in which we live. But that isn’t what Scripture is warning us about, is it? These words from Romans warn us about conforming (like Jell-O) to a world that is in fundamental rebellion against God.

 

Ever since the fall – see Genesis 2 or read this whole book of Romans – this world is in a state of utter brokenness. And if we just sit there (think Jell-O) we’re conformed to the pattern of this world.

 

So what’s the alternative? It’s another “form” word – “transformed.” Instead of sitting and settling like Jell-O (“conformed”), transformation lifts of us from the mold and the muck and makes something better of us!

 

It’s an uplifting gift that ultimately God produces – not us. It’s as miraculous as a creepy, crawling caterpillar turning into a majestic butterfly. Yes, we have to yield our “mind.” That’s our part. But transformation is something that occurs outside of us. Above us. Beyond us. God makes all things new.  

 

In Christ’s Love,

a guy who’d rather be

pudding than Jell-O

(I don’t know what that says

about me – or transformation –

but for what it’s worth, I’d rather

be chocolate than raspberry.)