Transformation From and Not Conformity with the World

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Ezekiel 32:17-32

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

(NKJV)

 

As A Child growing up, I remember my parents telling me not to hang out with those people or I will become just like them. As I have grown older, I have realized this advice is not only good for children but also for adults. In this text, we observe that the nations aligning with Egypt should also have heeded this advice and not aligned with Egypt which was destined for destruction. As Christians we must not seek conformity with the world but transformation through the renewing of our minds through the Word of God (Romans 12:2).

 

This text begins with Ezekiel receiving another word from the Lord, this time telling him to wail over the multitude of Egypt who will go down to the Pit (Ezekiel 32:17-18). The Lord then asks Egypt who they surpass in beauty, reminding them of their pride and that they will be placed with the uncircumcised (Ezekiel 32:19). Egypt is destined to fall with others slain by the sword along with the multitudes following her (Ezekiel 32:20). The strong among the mighty in hell will cry out to Egypt as they lie slain by the sword among the uncircumcised (Ezekiel 32:21).

 

Among those accompanying Egypt to the Pit are Assyria, Elam, Meshech, Tubal, Edom, the Princes of the North, and the Sidonians (Ezekiel 32:22-30). Seeing these multitudes also slain by the sword brings comfort to Pharaoh says the Lord (Ezekiel 32:31). The text concludes with the Lord reminding Egypt that they caused terror in the land of the living and are destined to be placed among the uncircumcised with all the multitudes aligned with them (Ezekiel 32:32). A reminder of the fate of those aligning with the world.

 

Since Egypt is symbolic of the world in Scripture, this passage is a warning to those choosing to follow the world instead of God. In Romans 12:2, the Bible tells God’s people not to conform to the world but to experience transformation through the renewing of our minds. Renewal of the mind occurs when one acquires knowledge, but we must be careful what knowledge we allow to enter our minds. Paul warned the Colossians not to fall prey to the philosophies of the world that are not in accordance with Christ (Colossians 2:8). Renewal of the mind based on worldly knowledge will result in the renewal of the mind but not renewal away from worldly conformity but renewal into conformity with the world. The renewal spoken of in Romans 12:2 is renewal away from worldly conformity through the acquisition of knowledge of God through the Bible.

 

Sadly, however, many in the Church today fail to have a regular time of daily reading and study of the Bible so they can gain knowledge bringing transformation away from worldly conformity. Evidence of this failure to acquire Biblical knowledge and Godly transformation is the Church going woke and conforming to the world instead of being a transformative force in the world. Jesus told his followers that they were salt and light in the world (Matthew 5:13-16).

 

During the time of Christ when people did not have modern refrigeration to preserve food, they used salt as a preservative. Jesus’ use of salt as an illustration is a call for the Church to function as a preservative force in the world. Conformity with the wokeness of the world is not acting as a preservative but instead acting to spread the toxic philosophies destroying the world. The use of light symbolized the need for the Church to shed light on the sins of the world and direct people to salvation through Jesus Christ. I urge those reading this post to spend time daily reading and studying the Bible, so they experience less conformity to the world and transformation toward Godliness. Then I challenge you to become salt and light in a dark world and become an agent of transformation in a world desperately needing it.

 

If you are reading this and have not prayed for the forgiveness of your sins making Jesus the Lord of your life, or have drifted away from your relationship with Christ, I invite you to pray with me now,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

May God challenge, convict, and bless everyone reading this post.