2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 NKJV 2 And stop assuming an outward expression that does not come from within you and is not representative of what you are in your inner being but is patterned after this age; but change your outward expression to one that comes from within and is representative of your inner being, Romans 12:2 Wuest I included this passage in this familiar passage from the Wuest translation. I did so to bring out an aspect from the Greek that is missed in many translations. Most translations make it appear that Paul is telling them to be careful that they not be conformed to this age sometime in the future. However, the Wuest translation is a literal translation from the Greek. Paul was actually telling them to stop doing something they were presently doing. We have to be careful in times of a downturn in our lives or ministries not to default to the world’s way of doing things. This word translated “world” (“age” in the Wuest) is the word αἰῶνι (aioni). It can mean the world by extension but literally speaks of a span of time or an age. Every generation has an accompanying “spirit of the age”. In the sixties it was rebellion and the rise of drug use, for example. We have to be sure that we are changing our generation and not our generation molding us. A good scriptural example of this is Abraham and Sarah. God had promised them a son even though she had been barren. After they had got tired of waiting Sarah recommends that Abraham should have a child with her maid. Now this is not an idea that Sarah made up out of whole cloth. Archeologists have found ancient clay tablets that demonstrate that was a normal practice for that day. Just because something is a cultural norm, does not mean that God approves. The result of that union between Abraham and his Egyptian maid Hagar, was Ishmael. We are still dealing with effects of that decision. Most of the terrorism we experience in our world today is from the descendants of Ishmael! I am concerned that we as Christians have let the world bully us into their conception of what it means to a Christian and doing church. We have to let the be led by the Holy Spirit not the newest fads. Several Christians are birthing “Ishmael” ministries that are hostile toward the purpose of God because they were birthed in compromise.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 16:11:19 +0000
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