Do Not Conform To The Pattern

Of This World

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12:1-8

Paul was a first century innovator who traveled throughout Asia Minor telling people how they could be transformed through faith in Jesus Christ.

People were told to let God transform them into new people by the way they thought.

The world has changed dramatically since Paul’s time. But the longings of people for love, forgiveness, and the power to change remain the same Jesus, the Great Innovator. Jesus offers all of these and invites us to experience a new and different life in Him.

God takes us as we are but never leaves us that way.

Our Daily Bread – October 11, 2014