There are many verses and phrases in the Bible that we read, but never take the time to consider what they mean. One example would be Romans 12:2, where Paul exhorts us to not be conformed to this age but to be transformed. I know we don’t understand this verse because simple observation reveals most Christians are living lives of conformity to the world rather than demonstrating any kind of transformation.
To be a follower of Jesus demands we abandon the way things used to be and embrace the superior way of the Father (Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10). Transformation is not a one-time decision; it is a lifelong change of direction that requires a 180-degree turn in every area of our lives (Luke 9:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17). We turn from our desires and towards God’s holy plan.
You cannot be transformed until you first repent of your sins (Acts 3:19). Repenting of sins is much more than just being sorry for what you did. True repentance means you turn away from that behavior with a deep desire and conviction to never return to it again (Ezekiel 18:30-31; Isaiah 55:7). Sinning, repenting, and then right away sinning in the same way proves there was no repentance involved (Proverbs 28:13; Hebrews 10:26-27). Perhaps you were sorry you got caught or maybe afraid of the ramifications of what you did, but that’s different from repentance.
Genuine repentance involves recognizing how objectionable our sin is to the Holy God (Psalm 51:4; Habakkuk 1:13). Despite all the amazing blessings He has poured out on you, you thumb your nose at Him and do what you know will offend Him. That’s bold and ignorant. Read your Bible. God is patient, but not once does He allow sin to go unpunished (Numbers 14:18; Nahum 1:3). It may not be immediate, but in the end, each one of us must answer for every sin against God (Romans 14:12; Matthew 12:36). If the blood of Jesus does not cover us at that moment, we will spend eternity in unrelenting torment, fueled by the shame of what we did (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:15).
I struggle with the idea of carnal or causal Christians. Those are contradictions in terms. To be a Christian is to be transformed (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 2:11-12). Genuine faith in Jesus means you will think different thoughts, act in different ways, and use different words when you talk (Colossians 3:8-10; Ephesians 4:29). Nothing is ever the same after an encounter with Christ. You no longer will desire things He finds detestable (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 8:13). Our appetites will change from pursuing the lusts of the flesh onto an insatiable hunger for God and His Word (Psalm 42:1-2; Psalm 119:97; Psalm 119:140).
There are no perfect Christians and sin is always lurking around the corner (Romans 7:15-20; 1 Peter 5:8). Christians do sin, but it is never their pursuit. If you spend your life chasing after sinful things, I must question whether you are a Christian. If you love Jesus, you will obey His commands (John 14:15; 1 John 2:3-6), and He commands you to not be conformed to this world (Romans 12:2) and not to love the things of this world (1 John 2:15-17).
To love the Lord is to be transformed in every area of our lives. In Christ, we are a new creation. If you aren’t looking a little more like Christ every day, something is wrong. Spend some time with Him right now and determine whether you want to repent of your sins or continue living as His enemy (James 4:4). You know what to do. Don’t wait another moment because that might be a moment that never comes (Hebrews 3:15; 2 Corinthians 6:2).