“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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 12:1-2

“TRANSFORMED”! What a wonderful thought. Not only is the believer counted righteous in Christ, but now “we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

But Christians in general, and the church in particular, always need to be on guard lest you “let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould” (to cite J. B. Phillips famous rendering of Romans 12:2) rather than “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. The temptation is ever present to focus only on justification, and neglect sanctification. And to use “grace” as an excuse for inaction (and even doubtful or sinful practices) rather than “pursue holiness without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 11:14).

It is now 50 years since I preached my first sermon, and over 40 since I entered the ministry. Over two generations I have observed the many and varied contours that have defined the shape of Christianity in general, and the church in particular. I have seen fads come, then discarded – only to be adopted by a new generation that like the “new king over Egypt [that] did not know Joseph” failed to learn the lessons of the past.

I myself have not been immune: I am painfully conscious of how often I myself have been guilty of my own values and practices being moulded more by the world around me than by Word and Spirit, and am therefore concerned when I see some in the next generation repeating the same mistakes.

For a long time now I have thought of beginning a weekly blog to regularly address these issues. I undertake this task without any sense of superiority. I myself have often been challenged and rebuked by the lives and practices of some of my fellow believers who have lived far more consistently than I. Also, as noted above, many of the ways I see pastors and other Christians conforming to worldly practices today reflect my own failures in ministry. I only hope that by sharing what I have learned I can help some at least not to repeat the same mistakes.

Though this blog will include warnings against conforming, my aim is not simply to be negative. I hope that any warnings will be balanced by encouragements to holiness and being transformed by the Spirit.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
“Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

“Then

….I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.”
                                                                                                                                           – Psalm 51:10-13