Be Not Conformed To This World…

Romans 12:2 

Christians are to be nonconformists.  Paul instructed the Christians in Rome, “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.”  Likewise, James wrote saying, “Ye adulteresses, know ye not that friendship of the world is enmity with God.  Whosoever therefore would be a friend of the world maketh himself and enemy of God” (James 4:4).  Let’s look at three individuals who were models of nonconformity.

The first great nonconformist is the relentless preacher, Noah.  For a period of 120 years Noah stood alone in a sin-sick, sin-cursed world.  Noah must have been subjected to severe ridicule and persecution as he preached to that wicked generation.  Yet, when the flood came, only Noah and his family were saved.  Only a strong and righteous man, a nonconformist in the strictest since of the word, could have withstood the pressures Noah no doubt felt day by day.  We need more Noah’s today!

The second great nonconformist is Daniel, the courageous prophet.  Daniel not only refused to offer prayers to anyone but God, he continued to offer those prayers three times a day even when such was outlawed.  As a result Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den.  God delivered Daniel from certain death because Daniel was faithful and refused to bend to the edict of the king.  The church needs men and women like Daniel who reverence God but fear no man—who will stand alone for what is right even in the face of danger!

The third great nonconformist is the devoted apostle, Paul.  Paul gave up all worldly possessions, positions and pleasures in order to gain Christ.  Paul who labored more abundantly for Christ than any other man, bore in his body the marks and scars of perceptions for faithful preaching Christ.  Paul was acquainted with hunger, thirst, and the cold.  He knew labor, travail, and hardships.  On five different occasions he received forty stripes save one.  Three times he was beaten with rods, and once he was stoned.  Yet he continued to preach the gospel.  Would that we had more Christians today that would face such adversities for the furtherance of the gospel!

In the love of Christ,

Thomas Sneed

Pond Church of Christ