"Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God."
I once heard the Christian life is analogous to a boat. In order for a boat to serve its intended purpose, it must be in the water. However, if the water gets into the boat, then the boat will sink. Likewise, a Christian must be in the world but if the world gets into the Christian, he or she will sink. Unlike boats today that can fill with water and sink to the edges but remain afloat, in Biblical times a boat that sank suffered destruction.
It is so easy to get distracted by the things of this world and this current age--especially if you live in a developed nation. We live in homes that are heated in the winter, cooled in the summer, we have hot and cold running water, refrigerators and pantries that are stocked with food, entertainment to fill our time, and a host of other luxuries that have become necessities. There is nothing wrong with having nice things and living in comfort unless these things take primacy over our relationship with God.
When Paul wrote this letter to the church in Rome, the Roman Empire was the world superpower and the city of Rome was the capital of this empire. The Romans were polytheistic, believing in and worshipping many different Gods. The Jews had been expelled from Rome and for a Jew to remain in Rome put him at great risk. Moreover, Christianity was considered a sect of Judaism by some and a new religion by others. Its message of love was contrary to the culture. To be in that world meant risking your life unless you compromised and conformed to that age.
Today Christianity is increasingly becoming seen as a religion of intolerance and there are efforts to expel it from our culture. In order to be liked, Christians, and the church, are tempted to compromise convictions. This compromise is sometimes packaged as an outreach strategy. Its proponents employ compromise so as not to alienate non-believers within their spheres of influence. After all, God loves them and wants them to be happy. They have allowed the water to fill the boat.
The other side of the coin is developing a fortress mentality. The church becomes the fortress located within hostile territory. We close the gates and post guards to keep invaders out and protect what is within. We stand on the bulwark of our fortress, point our fingers at those outside the fort and shout, "You all stand condemned and you're all going to hell!" There is no danger of the boat filling with water since the boat has been taken out of the water. The boat is dry docked.
The individual members of the church must avoid conforming to this age, getting caught in the trappings of modern comfort, giving primacy to these “things” over God. The individual members must also renew their minds. The church must avoid compromise in order to become or remain relevant and accepted by the world. The Greek word used for renewal is anakainÅsis which can be translated as, “a renewal, renovation, complete change for the better.” BLB (Emphasis added)
With the renewal of the mind, we develop a stronger relationship with Christ and learn His, “good, pleasing and perfect will.” We change for the better by accepting, demonstrating and sharing the love of God. The church becomes the boat that offers rescue to those drowning in sin.
By the way, God never commanded us to be happy. He commands us to be holy. In holiness we find joy in all circumstances.
