The Schematic of Co-Existing

Romans 12:2 (NIV)
"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

In Romans 12, the apostle Paul says we are not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  The Greek word in Romans 12:2, translated in English as conformed, is the word from which we get the word schematic.

A schematic is an electrical diagram that, if followed, produces a desired outcome every time.  There is a schematic for wiring a radio, a schematic for wiring a telephone, and a schematic for wiring a doorbell.  If the schematic for each of these is followed accurately, the radio will play music, the telephone will ring, and the doorbell will ding, usually while we're in the shower.

I think Paul is telling us not to be forced into the schematic of the world.  In other words, as believers, we shouldn't be squeezed into the wiring diagram of society.

Instead, we should be transformed.

Interestingly enough, the Greek word for transformed is where we get the word metamorphosis (undergoing a complete change in form and appearance).  The Greek word also means to co-exist.  We are to be in this world, but not of it.

Look at Daniel in the Old Testament.  Daniel was brought to a foreign land and was forced to live in an ungodly society, with an ungodly religious system and an ungodly government.  He was educated in ungodly institutions to learn ungodly ways.  He even had to work at an ungodly job.

But Daniel never became ungodly.  He learned to co-exist.

We drive on the same roads, work at the same jobs, shop at the same stores, and go to the same schools as those who have not chosen God, but it doesn't mean we have to become like the society in which we live.

We can co-exist.

Today, my prayer for you is that your wires don't get crossed.

Be transformed!

Skip