To Conform or Not, That is the Question

In the World or Of the World? 

All my life I have heard and also said, “We (as believers in and receivers of Jesus) are in the world but not of the world.” But as I searched for that particular phrase, I learned that it is not an actual verse in the Bible. Hmmm….Now, obviously, that concept is referenced numerous times in the teachings of Jesus and reiterated by the authors of many New Testament books. But just so we are clear, when we use that phrase, we are not quoting scripture but rather a Biblical principle and teaching. So let’s look at what that principle looks like lived out.

In my last post, we examined Daniel and his three friends after they were taken captive to Babylon and “enrolled” in King Nebuchadnezzar’s three year training academy prior to being put into his royal service. Part of that training was to be well fed from the best of King Nebby’s pantry in order to grow physically strong. Dan and his buds resolved that they would not be disobedient to God by eating forbidden foods. With God’s intervention, they made a deal with the King’s headmaster of this academy to eat only vegetables and water for ten days. At the end of those days, they would be measured, weighed and judged against those who did eat and drink of the King’s best to see if they were falling behind in their development. Their faith in God was so strong, that they were determined to remain faithful to Him.

And God rewarded their faithfulness to Him. Even as King Nebby did everything possible to strip them of all things Jewish and remake them into all things Babylonian, God was with them and proved them to be the most physically fit and the most adept academically. So much so, that eventually they were elevated into a high level of service to the king. Their story of faith and God’s use of them for His purposes in that pagan kingdom is chronicled in the rest of the book of Daniel.

The account of Daniel and his friends begs this question: how can God’s people resist the pressures that can “squeeze” them into conformity with the world? It’s an age-old question, but there is no more relevant question for today’s believers! How do we live “in” today’s culture and not become part “of” the culture?

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2 NAS

You see, Daniel and friends would not conform to the parts of Babylonian culture that went against the laws of God; they would not dishonor God even with the threat of death vs. possible favor with the most powerful person in the world at that time! What an example for us to learn from.

According to Romans 12, “conformers” are people whose lives are controlled by pressures from without. To conform means to act in accordance with the prevailing standards, attitudes, practices, etc., of a society or group; to be integrated. While “transformers” are those who lives are controlled by a power from within. Transform means to undergo a change in form, appearance, or character; to be altered. In other words, a conformer looks like, talks like, and acts like the culture around her. A transformer stands out because she is different in many ways from her culture.

These four men were transformed by their faith and relationship with God. And in turn and over time, God used them as agents of change. In fact, He used them to transform the minds of powerful rulers and to bring great glory to His name in a pagan land. But how? How were they able to not conform, especially given the pressure they were put under, and, instead, become powerful agents of change in that ungodly culture?

Their first step in becoming transformers in the world they found themselves in was giving themselves wholly to the Lord. Daniel and his friends’ hearts, the totality of their beings, belonged to the Lord (Ch. 1:8). Remember, when faced with the unholy diet, they resolved or were determined not to partake. Let’s be real. That determination to live for the Lord was in them before they were taken captive to Babylon! That’s an important detail. If we are not already grounded in the Lord and who we are in Him before the trials come our way, it will be almost impossible to take a bold stand for what is right and holy in His sight. It is when faced with the trial that we discover how deep our faith really is. A heart that loves the Lord, trusts the Lord, and obeys the Lord has no difficulty making the right choices when hit with the tragedies and difficulties of life.  Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it springs the issues of life.” Faith is not believing in spite of evidence – that’s superstition – but obeying in spite of consequences.

The second step in them becoming transformers was to be gracious toward those in authority. These four young men noticed that headmaster Ashpanez was especially friendly and kind to them, and most importantly, they recognized that as the working of the Lord. Ch. 1:9 says, “Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials.” Instead of acting like belligerent prisoners, these four recognized the risk they were asking Ash to take by allowing them to change the prescribed diet. His head was on the line, literally! They asked, not demanded, a short trial period – one that was not long enough to endanger Ash more than necessary. Over and over in scripture, we see courageous men and women of God who had to defy authority in order to be obedient, and in every successful case, they took the wise and gentle approach. “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18

These four young Jewish students were grounded in their faith, but they didn’t threaten anyone, stage a protest, or  burn down buildings. They simply lived their faith, excelled at their studies, and acted like gentlemen. They lived in the culture but did not become part of that culture. They did not conform, but as time went on, became transformers in that ungodly culture.

Unfortunately, today believers are faced with the same basic dilemma as these believers hundreds of years ago. Our culture has eroded into one that is being taken over by those who would like nothing better than to strip us of everything that is holy and remake us into a God-less society. I believe we are on the precipice of great consequences. It is time for believers to be like Daniel and his friends – we must ground ourselves in our faith so that we will be able to be resolved to live it out when faced with the sinful trends of our culture.

I am encouraged when I remember that Jesus, right before being arrested and crucified, prayed for us, today’s believers.

I have given them your Word. And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They don’t belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth….I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message (that’s us!). I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one… John 17:14-21 NLT

It is easy to be a conformer – to not make waves, not take an opposing stand, just go along to get along. But that is not what we are called to be. We are called to be transformers in this world. We become transformers by the very power that lives within us – the power of the living God who resides in every receiver of Jesus Christ in the form of His Holy Spirit.

The choice is up to us. Do we want to be part “of” this world or do we want to live as a light, a beacon of hope “in” this world? The consequences of either choice are great and have eternal significance for us, our loved ones, and those we encounter in this journey called life.

I pray to be resolved like Daniel and his friends!

I am resolved to follow the Savior, faithful and true each day; Heed what He say-eth, do what He will-eth, He is the living way. (Stanza 3 of the old hymn, I Am Resolved)