Ezekiel Chapter 11: Verse 12 (NIV)
“And you will know that I am the Lord, for you have not followed my decrees or kept my laws but have conformed to the standards of the nations around you.”
Romans Chapter 12:2 (NIV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
God chose the people of Israel and intended them to be different from the other nations. He wanted them to set a different standard that would reflect His goodness to them. That’s where they went wrong. They wanted to conform to be like the other nations round about them. And they dropped their standards just to fit in.
Often we want to fit in – to be the same as everyone else. Young people aspire to be like people that they admire. That can be as simple as copying their style of dress and make up, but they may try and emulate how they behave and that’s why we hope that they will find good role models to look up to. But as Christians we too are also meant to be different. As Paul told the Roman church we are meant to be transformed and not to conform. And it starts with the attitude of our mind. We can’t transform ourselves spiritually, but God can, by His Holy Spirit. The Israelites couldn’t change in their own strength and neither can we. But thanks to the fresh start we get through the work of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit, we can do through Him what the Israelites could not.
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful that You have sent Your Holy Spirit to change my mind and heart and transform me to be like Jesus and not to conform to the standards and behaviour of the world. I confess that there are still times I try to “fit in” when You want me to be bold enough to stand out. I ask for the desire to let the Holy Spirit work in me for Your glory. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.