Called to Be Separate

           Carl listened carefully as Mr. Stevenson, the boys’ dean, explained the rules of Hickory Hill Academy to the assembled students. Mentally, he reviewed the items he’d packed just yesterday, which were now neatly arranged in the closet, under the bed, and in the dresser drawers in his dorm room. Some of them would have to be packed away again, he decided. According to what Mr. Stevenson was saying, some of his clothes, books, and CDs, as well as his computer game machine, were not in harmony with the Bible principles that Hickory Hill Academy upheld. Later that evening, Carl closed up a cardboard box and slid it into the back corner under the bed. All of those objectionable items would have to wait for winter break at home.

           Laura sat on the couch in Cindy’s elegant living room, listening to the chatter and laughter of Cindy and the five other girls gathered in the room. In the back of her mind she felt a slight, nagging sense of uneasiness. The conversation seemed light and trifling, and the laughter silly and frivolous, as the girls discussed the hairstyles and shoes that were now in vogue. Laura wondered what her parents would think of this gathering. Back at home at this time, she and her family would have been having family worship, and afterwards, Daddy always took time to talk with his family and listen to their tales from the day’s experiences. She had never been accustomed to this silly chatter. It seemed so empty.

            On the other hand, now she had a job in another town, and was starting to lead a life of her own. And she did so want to be accepted among the other girls! True, they seemed worldly, but they were very friendly and accepting. Laura had been thrilled when Cindy had invited her over. How could she now disappoint her new friend by seeming uncomfortable with the theme of conversation?

            Carl and Laura found themselves in different situations, but their reactions were similar. Carl made outward improvements to better assimilate to his new environment. Laura altered her preferences to accommodate her new friends. Carl’s changes may have seemed to be for the better, while Laura’s were definitely for the worse. Yet both made changes to better fit into their environments, to mold their own habits and actions to the preferences and practices of those around them. Thus both were conformers.

            What is the opposite of conformity to worldly ways— conformity to righteous ways?

            “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind….” Romans 12:2. No, the opposite of conformity to the world is renewal of our minds, resulting in complete transformation of the life—inward as well as outward.

            Conformity to righteous actions, when the mind is unrenewed—unconverted—produces individuals who outwardly line up with requirements, but not from motives of love to God. Such people are often trying to see “how close” they can come to the world’s line. And when the restrictions are removed, or the person
changes to a new environment, the correct outward actions are often dropped. Perhaps you have seen it or even experienced it yourself. Such a religion leads to a feeling of restriction and a focus on rules. Some chafe against these restrictions laid upon them by those in authority over them. With others, the restrictions are self-imposed. But in both cases, obedience is mere conformity. The heart is not changed.

            God’s way is complete transformation. When we surrender to Jesus, He renews our minds and gives us “the mind of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 2:16. When this happens, we learn to love things that before were distasteful to us. We see how God’s way is truly best, and serving Him becomes a delight. No longer do His requirements seem like drudgery! At the same time, things that before were of great interest or importance to us appear in their true worthlessness. We willingly forsake them, not because we are required to, but because they have lost their appeal. We see their true harmful character.

            Conformity is transitory; transformation is lasting. While conformers vary and change based on surrounding conditions, truly born again Christians remain firm for the right, not only when surrounded by like believers, but also when thrust out into the world on their own.

            Am I a conformer, or am I transformed? Am I doing as I am because I think it is expected of me, because someone will think ill of me if I do not do it, or because I need to do this to remain in my church, school, or job? These are important questions. Parents, teachers, and pastors must ask, are the children, youth, or adults under my care mere conformers? Have I led them in the right path? Are they quick to drop their principles when no one seems to be looking?

            If the answer is yes, a deeper work is needed. Conformity will not get any of us into heaven. Each of us needs a renewed mind, a transformed life, which accompanies complete surrender to Jesus. This must be our personal experience, and then we must watch for “souls, as they that must give account, that [we] may do it with joy, and not with grief….” Hebrews 13:17.

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