Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good… I. ITS NATURE. 1. By "this world" is meant everything in it which is antagonistic to the truth or to the life of God in the soul of man. You can form a correct estimate of a man's character by his ruling principles. So you can the spirit of "this world." Here are some of its maxims — (1) "Every man for himself"; there is the selfishness that draws in everything to itself, and keeps firm grip of all it has, though the needy be perishing around! (2) "Quietness is best "; there is the cowardice, the selfish prudence of the world which will not stand forth and speak a word for God or man, lest trouble should come upon it! (3) "Honesty is the best policy." The man who is honest just because it is the best policy would for the same reason have been dishonest! 2. Conformity to this world means the adoption of principles such as these, and practices founded upon them, although there are great differences among men in respect of it. II. ITS CAUSES. Apart from its first and great cause, there are secondary causes, e.g., — 1. The proclivity to do as other people do. A child may act thus, but may a man? If so, where is his independence? In the dust. 2. The fear of giving offence. There are people who are so dependent upon the good opinion of others, that to gain it they will forfeit their own respect by doing things which otherwise they would have left undone. They have interests of their own, but they are laughed or frowned out of them; they have opinions of their own, but they modify and explain them away! Many a man may date his destruction from the day he began to be afraid of losing the good opinion of bad men! 3. The inability to stand alone. When any public question is debated, the question is, "What side are the respectable people on?" When a side must be taken, "Which is likely to win?" The "expediency" men are many; the "principle" men are few. II. ITS CURE. 1. The realising of our own personality and responsibility, refusing to live in the crowd, resolving that by God's grace we shall live the life He calls upon us to live. 2. The withdrawing of ourselves from under the power of that tendency within us which prevails with us to disobey this command. Sometimes it is of very little use to fight, the only thing is to get away. A young man is beginning to acquire a taste for low pursuits and company: how will you help him to get above them? Not surely by leaving him to fight it out with them, but by creating within him a taste for higher pleasures, and the society of the good. If we would not be conformed to the world, we must rise above it. 3. Transformation by the renewing of the mind. Thus transformed, you will not be conformed: another model will be realised by you in your lives: the world will lose its hold and Christ will be all in all. (P. Rutherford.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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