God in His wisdom has created us in an amazingly multifaceted and complex way: strong yet vulnerable, fragile yet strong-willed, independent yet dependent, with a deep longing for God while prone to many temptations. He shows us His will in His Word while pointing out our inability to measure up to this standard in our own strength. He has placed us in this world and at the same time tells us: “Do not conform to the pattern of this world” (Romans 12:2, NIV).
As Christian parents, we have a deep desire not only to know God’s will for our family but also to live out His Word in our daily life. Perhaps as a mother or father you have paused and asked yourself: How does this Word apply to me and to our family? This question is of great significance – for ourselves, for our children, for our family, and also for our church. So, let’s contemplate this thought.
The essence
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world” (Romans 12:2a). If we take these words out of context and apply them only to the outward appearance of a Christian life, we resemble a child who covers the mess in his closet with a pretty blanket. An inner shortcoming is merely concealed by an outward action. But even the second part of this verse makes it clear that it’s primarily about our attitude: “but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing, and perfect will” (Romans 12:2, NIV).
With respect to the family, this truth takes on special meaning. A blessed family life only comes from the personal relationship each individual has with God. Deep within us, amid the clamor of this world, we, as children of God, face decisions: not to conform to the standards of the world but to align ourselves with God’s Word and allow the Holy Spirit to change and lead us. Even a healthy church consists of individual families living by biblical values, as well as individual people who maintain a profound, intimate relationship with God – like living stones built into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5).
The Gospel always targets the heart first—the center of thought and will. Jesus Christ died on the cross at Golgotha to reconcile us with God (Romans 5:10) and to give us life and abundant fullness (John 10:10). This is precisely what the devil tries to prevent; he does everything to stop people from truly knowing the God of the Bible. Even if they have become children of God, he wants to render their spiritual life powerless, having only an outward appearance. Even if they have found Him, the fountain of life, Satan wants them to return as quickly as possible to the cracked cisterns that hold no water (Jeremiah 2:13).
Our almighty God, full of grace, truth, and infinite love, has the unrestricted right to us for two explicit reasons. Firstly, because He created us. And secondly, because we were redeemed, not with perishable gold or silver, but with His own blood from the slavery of sin, which leads to eternal death (1 Peter 1:18-19; Romans 6:23).
Nevertheless, God did not create us as robots who must obey Him at the press of a button. That He created us in His own image (Genesis 1:27), gave us a living soul and a free will, reveals His special love for us. It is almost incomprehensible that this almighty God stands at the door of our hearts, knocking patiently until we open (Revelation 3:20).
United with Him
Are you aware of the “compromise theory?” It’s a trend to be a Christian while at the same time pursuing self-actualization. There are many who, despite a strong profession of faith, hardly deny themselves anything this world offers. Even worship can become a cracked cistern if our motive is not Jesus Christ and the glory of God and if we or the service itself takes center stage.
How can we fully experience the beauty and richness of a relationship if we, like butterflies, flit from one flower to another? God spoke of man and woman becoming one in their relationship. This unity, which excludes all others, is the gateway to a deep, heavenly pure love where each is for the other. And this bond is given to us by God as an example of the relationship He wants to have with us. The more complete our surrender to this divine love, the more we will recognize and understand Him. Any other type of worship will not have eternal merit. This is what Paul was talking about in Romans 12:1.
This life in the intimate presence of God, and in surrender to Him, shapes and transforms our character. It makes you a mother and a father who without fanfare daily live the mindset of Christ. While we struggle with the storms of adolescence or the enticement of today’s media, our hearts remain calm in the presence of the Master. My God and I.
From His strength
Yes, with our own strength and will, it will be impossible to meet the high standard of Romans 12:2. Failure and feelings of guilt do not have to occur. The price, however, is very high—like many other things pertaining to our spiritual walk.
God’s undeserved grace is bestowed upon us. Yet it is anything but cheap or without cost – the cost to the Son of God is indescribable. Its effect in our lives is so powerful and radical that the Bible compares it to death and resurrection (Romans 6:8).
Only this formula “my God and I” provides the possibility of a dynamic life in the fullness of God. Jesus is enough. Then HE is our strength, our wisdom, and our wellspring. Our problems are His opportunities. He wants to make our family life a little piece of paradise.
The standard
Is a false standard for a successful Christian life the reason we have difficulty with Romans 12:2? Is the problem a value system shaped by the tenor of the times, one that thrives on the applause of men or our own ideas? If the benchmark of our standard lies in the world or in our own self, our bias will also be in that direction. Why is that? Does the ephemeral seem so alluring because the glories of divine treasures remained hidden from us until now?
Our world needs courageous people! Our world needs heroes who…
- look away from the vanity of our time and from themselves
- steadfastly focus on the almighty, holy, and unchanging God
- seek guidance from His eyes
- ask Him for wisdom, strength, and grace for daily living and the next challenge
- love Him so much that they rest in His hands of grace
- ask Him to untangle knots, unravel questions, and guide hearts
You may rest in Him. And because the fountain of life never runs dry, you may constantly draw from it and generously share it with others—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23, ESV).
May the Lord bless you!
Helene Rotfuss
Pforzheim, Germany
Be the first to comment