Conformity

The word, conformity, sounds like someone or group forces, pressures, or manipulates others to follow and obey.

There would be negative consequences if they did NOT conform to the beliefs and practices of a leader or group.

Paul wrote to a church that they tolerated such behavior.

In fact, you even put up with anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of you or exalts himself or strikes you in the face. 2 Corinthians 11:20

Who wants to receive any of that?

Conformity can also be a positive concept.

Believers can FOLLOW the Lord Jesus Christ. Matthew 4:18-22; Mark 10:51-52; Luke 8:1-3; John 1:43; 10:27

Believers can have God the Father CONFORM them into the image of His Son, Jesus. Romans 8:29

Believers can be TRANSFORMED into the Lord's image. 

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, Who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18

Believers can IMITATE those who follow the Savior well. 1 Corinthians 11:1; Hebrews 13:7

AGREEMENT

Jesus said that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Mark 3:25

Can real believers, even baby Christians spiritually, 1 Corinthians 3:1-4; Hebrews 5:11-12 AGREE on the major teachings of the faith that was once delivered to the Lord's people? Jude v.3

You may be familiar with some of them.

WHO is the Lord Jesus Christ? John 1:1-5, 14; Colossians 2:9; Hebrews 1:1-3, 8-9

HE is God the Father's Messiah, Savior, Lord of all, God the Word Who became flesh, Lamb of God Who took away the sin of the world, Son of the living God, deliverer and healer, the first and the last, the beginning and the end. Isaiah 9:6-7; Matthew 8:16-17; 16:16; Luke 9:20; John 1:1-2, 14, 29; 4:25-26, 41-42; Acts 2:36; 10:36; 18:5; Philippians 2:5-6; Hebrews 9:26; 1 John 4:14; Revelation 1:17; 22:13

He is the ONLY WAY to the Father. John 14:5-11; Acts 4:10-12

People must be BORN AGAIN to see and enter the kingdom of God. John 3:3-8

They can be because they've been LOVED and the sacrifice of salvation has been made by JESUS.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him." John 3:16-17 

For what I [Paul] received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

that He was buried, that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

People are SAVED by the Father's grace [undeserved and unearned favor] through FAITH in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Romans 3:20-26; 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:4-10

The Father WAITS PATIENTLY.

The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,

instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. Hebrews 6:1-2

The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I [Jesus] have come that they [people who believe in Jesus] may have life, and have it in all its fullness. John 10:10

The devil is on one side to hurt. The Lord Jesus Christ is on another side to bless. Let's NEVER get them confused as to the source of each.

Jesus is COMING. Matthew 24:26-27, 30; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 

Can we be in agreement to believe and speak of these truths?

Now may the God Who gives endurance and encouragement grant you harmony with one another in Christ Jesus,

so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15:5-6

I appeal to you, brothers [and sisters], in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, 

so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction. 1 Corinthians 1:10

I urge Euodia and Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. Philippians 4:2

DO NOT CONFORM TO WHAT IS FALSE

Jesus prayed that believers would be one as He and the Father are One. John 10:30

"I [Jesus] will no longer be in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to You.

Holy Father, protect them by Your name, the name You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one." John 17:11

And Jesus warned believers NOT to be deceived. Matthew 24:4-5

"At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another,

and many false prophets will arise and mislead many." Matthew 24:10-11

Peter and Jude warned Christians about false teachers who can sneak into churches and cause harm. 2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude v.4

Paul said that part of his ministry was to warn believers Acts 20:31; Colossians 1:28 to grow spiritually in the Lord Jesus Christ so that they would NOT be infants tossed about by teachings from deceivers. Ephesians 4:14

"I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock.

Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them." Acts 20:29-30 

FOLLOW WHAT IS RIGHT

Do you believe that what you believe is correct?

Think of all of the different religions and belief systems in the world.

Can they all be true?

"Oh yes, my religion is the right one."

"For sure, my church is correct even though a few others might have some truth, too."

"You don't need a god or God, do you? As long as you believe something spiritual, you'll be okay, right?"

You may sit next to others in religious or spiritual meetings and never really know what they believe.

Why?

Some reasons might include -- 

They don't know what they believe because they don't study their religion or belief system carefully.

Some of the doctrines are kept secret by those "at the top" to give out what and when they want. 

If they have a Bible (or some other book) in their home, they treat these writings as relics from museums or like other books instead of spiritual food to eat from daily. Matthew 4:4

If non-believers ask questions of those who follow this or that person, religion, or spiritual brand, most do NOT know enough to WITHSTAND challenges.

Peter wrote, 

But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. 

"Do not fear what they fear; do not be shaken."

But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord.

Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you.

But respond with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience,

so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ. 1 Peter 3:14-16

Jesus said that the Scriptures of the Old Testament of the Bible spoke of Him. Luke 24:25-27, 44-45

Paul wrote about the importance of the Scriptures. Romans 15:3-4; 1 Corinthians 10:11; 2 Timothy 3:16 

As did others John 1:45; Acts 18:27-28 he also spoke what Moses and the prophets wrote about the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, Acts 26:22-23; 28:23 

Can we be transformed by the renewing of our minds? Romans 12:2

Can we be renewed in the spirit of our minds? Ephesians 4:23

Can the Bible make someone wise to gain salvation? 2 Timothy 3:15

As for God, His way is perfect;

the word of the Lord is flawless.

He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 18:30

PROCLAIM THE WORD

Paul wrote to Timothy, his spiritual son in the faith. 1 Timothy 1:2

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove [correct], rebuke [confront], and encourage with every form of patient instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

Each of us by our lifestyles proclaim something, don't we?

We show good fruit or bad fruit Matthew 7:17-18 and communicate words that are blessings and freshwater as well as curses and bitter water. James 3:9-12

What can make the Bible COME ALIVE to us and help to change us from one level of His glory to another higher one? 2 Corinthians 3:18

Maybe we need God the Father to REVEAL Jesus to us IN IT.

"But what about you?" Jesus asked. "Who do you say I am?"

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven." Matthew 16:15-17

There are apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, pastors, and elders I Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-13; 1 Timothy 3:2; 5:17; 2 Timothy 2:24 who are supposed to share the word, aren't they?

Sometimes even as Paul experienced, some corrupt [pollute, defile, twist] and handle the word of the Lord deceitfully. 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2 

Therefore, YOU and I are responsible to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy, and acceptable to the Father. Romans 12:1 

We can stand approved by Him because we divide, dissect, and interpret His word of truth correctly. 2 Timothy 2:15 

Paul stated that believers were able to instruct one another. Romans 15:14; 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13

How about now? YES

He also wrote that believers could teach and admonish [warn mildly] one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Is this still true for today's believers? YES

Why?

It's because believers have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. 1 John 2:20

John continued,

And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you.

But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught. 1 John 2:27

Jesus said that this anointing is the Holy Spirit Who would teach and guide believers into all truth. John 14:26; 16:13

The Holy Spirit would testify about Jesus John 15:26 and glorify Him. John 16:14

When we see JESUS in the Scriptures and honor Him as Savior, Lord, and God John 20:27-28; 2 Peter 1:1 through our accurate study of the Bible, then we can be confident that our conformity to His way is acceptable to God the Father.

Why?

Jesus said, "For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He wishes.

Furthermore, the Father judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son,

so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father.

Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him." John 5:21-23

John was also bold when he wrote,

Even if we accept human testimony, the testimony of God is greater. For this is the testimony that God has given about His Son [Jesus].

Whoever believes in the Son of God has this testimony within him; whoever does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has given about His Son.

And this is that testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:9-12

CHOOSE GOOD [GOD'S] CONFORMITY

Let's NOT conform, flow with, or follow the ways of this world because these are NOT from God the Father. 

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:15-16

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2

This is still for believers today, isn't it? YES

Being confident of this, that He Who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

Your thoughts?

R. Jason