Gospel Nonconformity Is Essential!

[Scripture More Accurately]

Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

To do the perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2b), we must first yield ourselves completely to God (Rom. 12:1) for the sake of the gospel (Rom. 1-11).

Believers who have done that then must focus on nonconformity to the world as a leading gospel priority in our lives (Rom. 12:2a).

Such emphasis on gospel nonconformity is not "legalism"; it is an essential ethical gospel mandate and necessity for every believer!

 

[KenH]

first yield ourselves completely to God

How are you going to judge what is "completely"? Is it a sliding scale?

Of course, God's elect will do good works - the ones He has already ordained in His sovereignty. We don't choose them, neither can we take credit for them.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

How are you going to judge what is "completely"? Is it a sliding scale?

Of course, God's elect will do good works - the ones He has already ordained in His sovereignty. We don't choose them, neither can we take credit for them.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We must compare Scripture with Scripture to know what complete consecration to God entails.

The focus of this thread is not on God's elect doing good works, unless you are understanding nonconformity to the world as an aspect of the good works that believers do.

 

[KenH]

unless you are understanding nonconformity to the world as an aspect of the good works that believers do.

I do. The elect can do no good works unless God has ordained them. Our sanctification is in Christ, not us.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

I do. The elect can do no good works unless God has ordained them. Our sanctification is in Christ, not us.

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

We know that God has ordained nonconformity to the world because Paul commands it in Romans 12:2. We must obey what God has commanded us.

 

[KenH]

We know that God has ordained nonconformity to the world because Paul commands it in Romans 12:2. We must obey what God has commanded us.

Yes. We do good works as God has ordained we do them. This is all of God's power, not of man's power or self-will.

 

[KenH]

We know that God has ordained nonconformity to the world because Paul commands it in Romans 12:2. We must obey what God has commanded us.

Remember how much the apostle Paul struggled with this.

Romans 7:14-25 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

Remember how much the apostle Paul struggled with this.

Romans 7:14-25 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: but I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Paul also taught, however, that God is already energizing us both to be willing and to be doing of His good pleasure:

Philip. 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

When, therefore, we fail to do what God wants us to do, it is because we have resisted His working in us that we would not be conformed to the world.

 

[canadyjd]

Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

To do the perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2b), we must first yield ourselves completely to God (Rom. 12:1) for the sake of the gospel (Rom. 1-11).

Believers who have done that then must focus on nonconformity to the world as a leading gospel priority in our lives (Rom. 12:2a).

Such emphasis on gospel nonconformity is not "legalism"; it is an essential ethical gospel mandate and necessity for every believer!

I don’t disagree with you, just how does that “non-conformity” with the world look in your opinion?

Some totally separate themselves apart from the world. They won’t drive cars, use electricity etc.

Exactly what does it look like and what is the remedy if you don’t think someone is non-conforming enough?

peace to you

 

[CalTech]

Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

To do the perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2b), we must first yield ourselves completely to God (Rom. 12:1) for the sake of the gospel (Rom. 1-11).

Believers who have done that then must focus on nonconformity to the world as a leading gospel priority in our lives (Rom. 12:2a).

Such emphasis on gospel nonconformity is not "legalism"; it is an essential ethical gospel mandate and necessity for every believer!

Greetings,

I agree with you, but we must not forget that anything which may stand in the way of this, which can be termed as idolatry, the Lord has promised that HE shall deliver and cleanse us from ALL idols, and it is all done by and through the Power of the Holy Spirit, by revealing those "idols", and whatever we be "thus minded". HE shall sanctify us according to His Will, in His Way, for His purposes.

And there is no human religious and fleshly methodology that is able to attain it.
For when we have been bought with a price, we are HIS property, and as Abraham had to offer up his son upon the altar, we also must offer our selves up also for that reveals that HE is the Potter and we are the Clay, and every part of our being belongs to Him to deal with in any form He desires, but since we are so vile within our fleshly hearts we try to remove our selves off that "altar", we are so weak, that in that weakness HE SHALL be our strength in overcoming our flesh and our rebellious hearts! That is why HE paid IT ALL.....ALL to Him I owe...........we are nothing and HE is everything, and if we do not realize that in Spirit and In Truth........if we truly are His, HE shall get us there, for HE has Promised.


Gal_3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Php_2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful truth!

The Lord bless you....

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

I don’t disagree with you, just how does that “non-conformity” with the world look in your opinion?

Some totally separate themselves apart from the world. They won’t drive cars, use electricity etc.

Exactly what does it look like and what is the remedy if you don’t think someone is non-conforming enough?

peace to you

Gospel nonconformity includes the rejection of everything that God says is evil and all practices that are evil. There are many passages that inform us about what those things are (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph 5:3-5; and many others).

The remedy for all of our sins as believers is repentance, confession of our sins, earnestly seeking God in prayer for grace to forsake them, godly counsel, making ourselves accountable to trusted brethren, etc.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

Greetings,

I agree with you, but we must not forget that anything which may stand in the way of this, which can be termed as idolatry, the Lord has promised that HE shall deliver and cleanse us from ALL idols, and it is all done by and through the Power of the Holy Spirit, by revealing those "idols", and whatever we be "thus minded". HE shall sanctify us according to His Will, in His Way, for His purposes.

And there is no human religious and fleshly methodology that is able to attain it.
For when we have been bought with a price, we are HIS property, and as Abraham had to offer up his son upon the altar, we also must offer our selves up also for that reveals that HE is the Potter and we are the Clay, and every part of our being belongs to Him to deal with in any form He desires, but since we are so vile within our fleshly hearts we try to remove our selves off that "altar", we are so weak, that in that weakness HE SHALL be our strength in overcoming our flesh and our rebellious hearts! That is why HE paid IT ALL.....ALL to Him I owe...........we are nothing and HE is everything, and if we do not realize that in Spirit and In Truth........if we truly are His, HE shall get us there, for HE has Promised.


Gal_3:3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?

Php 1:5 For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Php_2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Thank you for sharing this wonderful truth!

The Lord bless you....

Yes, praise God that He is the One who has saved us and will save us from all our sins!

 

[canadyjd]

Gospel nonconformity includes the rejection of everything that God says is evil and all practices that are evil. There are many passages that inform us about what those things are (1 Cor. 6:9-10; Gal. 5:19-21; Eph 5:5; and many others).

The remedy for all of our sins as believers is repentance, confession of our sins, earnestly seeking God in prayer for grace to forsake them, godly counsel, making ourselves accountable to trusted brethren, etc.

Will you articulate some of the things are. I understand Paul gives general instructions to avoid immorality, don’t be contentious, don’t be lovers of money or wine-bibbers.

Is there any specific thing beyond those general admonitions that you see as requiring non-conformity?

Since we shouldn’t be lovers of money, should we give all our money into a common account run by the church and live in a commune etc?

peace to you

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

Will you articulate some of the things are. I understand Paul gives general instructions to avoid immorality, don’t be contentious, don’t be lovers of money or wine-bibbers.

Is there any specific thing beyond those general admonitions that you see as requiring non-conformity?

Since we shouldn’t be lovers of money, should we give all our money into a common account run by the church and live in a commune etc?

peace to you

Immodest dress, listening to and using profanity, viewing pornography and sexually suggestive TV programs and movies, listening to and using occult music in our lives and in our churches, forsaking the assembling of ourselves together on the Lord's Day, etc.

No, God does not teach us to give all our money to the church and live in a commune, etc.

 

[Silverhair]

I don’t disagree with you, just how does that “non-conformity” with the world look in your opinion?

Some totally separate themselves apart from the world. They won’t drive cars, use electricity etc.

Exactly what does it look like and what is the remedy if you don’t think someone is non-conforming enough?

peace to you

I think the expression, we are to be in the world but not of the world, says it best. As a Christian we know how we should be acting and we know what we should be avoiding, the challenge for us is to do those things.

 

[KenH]

Philip. 2:12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Yes, any good works that God's elect do are ordained by God, thus they cannot take the least bit of credit for them. God gets all of the glory, not man.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

Yes, any good works that God's elect do are ordained by God, thus they cannot take the least bit of credit for them. God gets all of the glory, not man.

No one is disputing these points. They are not germane to the main point of this thread--gospel nonconformity is essential!

 

[Aaron]

Rom. 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

To do the perfect will of God (Rom. 12:2b), we must first yield ourselves completely to God (Rom. 12:1) for the sake of the gospel (Rom. 1-11).

Believers who have done that then must focus on nonconformity to the world as a leading gospel priority in our lives (Rom. 12:2a).

Such emphasis on gospel nonconformity is not "legalism"; it is an essential ethical gospel mandate and necessity for every believer!

Despite your disclaimer, your focus is wrong and you are headed right down the path to legalism.

'Nonconformity,' isn't the issue, transformation is. 'Nonconformity' has one focusing on the world, and just doing the opposite, which isn't the opposite, really. It may look that way on the outside, but there is no renewal of the mind. Transformation comes from the Spirit, and one simply focuses on Christ and His commandments to love one another.

The world focuses on the pride of life, the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh. A focus on Christ will work the opposite of these things, by the power of the Spirit, which is a glorious liberty; not in our own power of touching not, tasting not, and handling not in a carnal effort of nonconformity, which is a grievous bondage.

 

[Scripture More Accurately]

Despite your disclaimer, your focus is wrong and you are headed right down the path to legalism.

'Nonconformity,' isn't the issue, transformation is. 'Nonconformity' has one focusing on the world, and just doing the opposite, which isn't the opposite, really. It may look that way on the outside, but there is no renewal of the mind. Transformation comes from the Spirit, and one simply focuses on Christ and His commandments to love one another.

The world focuses on the pride of life, the lust of the eyes, and the lust of the flesh. A focus on Christ will work the opposite of these things, by the power of the Spirit, which is a glorious liberty; not in our own power of touching not, tasting not, and handling not in a carnal effort of nonconformity, which is a grievous bondage.

No, my focus is not wrong. My focus is entirely biblical. Your teaching is wrong and unbiblical.

The inspired Word of God commands believers, "And be not conformed to this world . . ."

No one gets to do away with what God says. God has fearful penalties for people who take away from what He says!

There can be no proper transformation where the command not to be conformed to this world is disregarded, set aside, minimized, explained away, or disobeyed.

 

[Aaron]

No, my focus is not wrong. My focus is entirely biblical. Your teaching is wrong and unbiblical.

The inspired Word of God commands believers, "And be not conformed to this world . . ."

No one gets to do away with what God says. God has fearful penalties for people who take away from what He says!

There can be no proper transformation where the command not to be conformed to this world is disregarded, set aside, minimized, explained away, or disobeyed.

Yep. You preach a Gospel of works.