WHEN THE APOSTLE PAUL says “…Do not be conformed to this world” (Rom. 12:2), he is using the Greek word aion, which means “space of time” or “present time.” The Aramaic word alma has a deeper meaning: “surrounded in time.” Paul is warning us not to be squeezed into the mold of the present age.
Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in His eyes” (Rom 12:2, Passion translation).
According to The Moody Bible Commentary, Romans 12:1 through 15:33 discusses the implications of being right with God, which necessarily begins with the implications of a believer’s spiritual commitment to the gospel (12:1-2).1 Right off the top, we are told to present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. “Present” is an essential command to stand before God in service to Him (see Rom. 6:13). This is meant to be a lifetime commitment, suggesting completeness; one of full and far-reaching implications.
Marks of the True Believer in Christ
Paul told the Ephesians, “[I] urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Eph. 4:1). This is what Everett Harrison calls “the necessity of a lived-out righteousness in those who are justified.”2 In fact, Harrison says our spiritual service is the practice of righteousness. It is this crucial element that has been missing in my Christian walk, which called for a fearless and rigorous look at my temperament and habits.
Just to be clear, we are not asked to practice righteousness under our own power. Frankly, that would be impossible. “Being” precedes “actions.” The indicative is what God has done for us; the imperative is what Paul calls our “reasonable” service. This is an exhortation. Matthew Henry identifies this as “godliness.”3 Again, this refers to important gospel principles. Henry writes, “Let us render ourselves; all we are, all we have, all we can do.”4 Martin Luther writes, “The true sacrifice which belongs to God is not outside us nor outside that which belongs to us… but we ourselves are this (sacrifice).”5
Not surprisingly, Paul brings righteousness full circle in the final chapters of Romans. He writes, “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of rules… but is the realm of the Holy Spirit, filled with righteousness, peace, and joy” (Rom 14:17, Passion translation). We are also called to right relationship with fellow believers, toward society, and toward our government. We are not to conform to this present age, but we are called to walk in godliness. It is our proper worship. It boils down to rendering ourselves completely to God.
Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture contained herein is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
References
1 The Moody Bible Commentary, “Romans” (Chicago: Moody Publications, 2014), 1765.
2 Everett F. Harrison, “Romans,” The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Revised Ed., Vol. 11 (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 181.
3 Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, Inc., 1997), 1086.
4 Ibid., 1087.
5 Martin Luther, Commentary on Romans (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1954), 167.
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