Conformity

When one chooses to become the same as that which is generally accepted, this is conformity. Conformity is to act in accordance with the rules. It is the agreement to behave like and believe that which is conventional. It is being a mirror-image of the standard.

There are times in which conformity can be a bad thing. Paul wrote in Romans 12:2 - "..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." Christians do not want to be like the world, because it is sinful and evil and passing away (1 John 2:15-17). It would be wrong for one who has been called out of the world and into the church, to be a copy of the very things he has rejected (Phil. 3:7).

There are also times in which conformity can be a good thing. When it comes to our citizenship and the laws of our government, it is easy to see why conformity is necessary. If we do not obey laws and respect authority we will sentence ourselves to a life of conflict and trouble. We will be punished, because there are consequences to rebelling against the standards of social responsibility.

There is one specific time in life, when conformity takes on a beauty that cannot be matched. Romans 8:29 explains, "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son..." God chose from the beginning that we would be given an image to copy. This image is our perfect Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. When a person makes a decision to be a Christian, this is the main thrust of what they are doing. They are deciding to look like, talk like, act like, love like, forgive like, sacrifice like, and be like Jesus!

Near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, there is a portrait of James Butler Bonham, a man who died for the sake of freedom. But the inscription explains that no real picture of Bonham exists. Rather, the portrait is actually of his deceased nephew, who greatly resembles him. The picture was posted, to allow the public to get the best impression possible of a man who died so they could be free.

There is no picture of Jesus Christ for the world to see today. The portrait Jesus chose to leave of himself, is us! If we are living like we are supposed to live, people will be able to see the One who died for their everlasting freedom. The world is depending on us to look like Jesus. We must be conformed to him!

"who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself." ~ Philippians 3:21