The Bible has much to say about our conformity. Make no mistake, in this life you will either allow Satan to conform you to this world or allow God to conform you into the likeness of His Son. Those are the only two options. You will end up as one or the other. Of course, only one way leads to eternal life, so the choice should be easy, right? (Matthew 7:13-14; John 14:6)
If only it were that simple. We know the way we should go, but the other is enticing because it’s so much easier. Being sinful by nature, we are prone to laziness and choosing the path of less friction and pain. (Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18-19) What looks to us to be an easier path is in truth the opposite.
A life of ease and compromise will only lead to an eternity in Hell. (Proverbs 14:12; Matthew 7:26-27) Far better to allow God to shape you into the image of His Son. Every person going to Heaven is being conformed into the likeness of Christ. (Romans 8:29) There is no other way we could ever stand before a holy God. (Hebrews 12:14; 1 Peter 1:15-16) God could not even look at us if not for the blood of Jesus covering our sins. (Habakkuk 1:13; 2 Corinthians 5:21) But praise God, Jesus did shed His blood and die in our place so that all those who believe in Him and bow to Him as Lord can be saved. (Romans 5:8-9; John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10) If you haven’t thanked God for that truth today, do it now!
Paul warns us that conformity to this age is not the will of God. Instead, God’s will is that we have transformed hearts so we can discern and understand the way we should live for Him. (Romans 12:2) To live like the world is to live as an enemy of God. (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17) That is a fight you are never going to win. Are you so deceived that you think you could stand against the Creator of the Universe and come out on top? It’s never going to happen.
Instead, our goal in life should be the same as Paul’s goal—to know Christ and be conformed to His death. (Philippians 3:10-11) In achieving conformity with Jesus in His death, we then have the hope of sharing conformity with Him in the resurrection to eternal life. (Romans 6:5; Philippians 3:20-21) That is the good news of the gospel! We were dead in our sins, looking just like everyone else in the world, but Jesus redeems us by His blood and transforms us into the likeness of Him! (Ephesians 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:13-14)
Conformity with the world is an abomination to the Lord. (Romans 12:2; James 4:4) It is proof that we do not love God and will face the consequences of rejecting Him. (1 John 2:15-17; John 3:36) May that be never true of us. If the Holy Spirit dwells inside you, there should be something different about the way you live. The world will not be able to help but notice. You are a new creation, righteous and pure in the truth of God’s holiness and power. (Ephesians 4:22–24)
Conformity with anything or anyone besides Jesus Christ will send you to Hell. (Matthew 7:21-23; John 14:6) Don’t live like the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind into the likeness of the Father. (Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:9-10) Choose eternal life by choosing to love and live for Jesus. (John 3:16; John 17:3)