Friday, August 26, 2011

“Do not conform yourselves to this age...”

Dear Parishioners,

Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

We are expected to conform to scriptural teachings, just laws, and appropriate ways of conducting ourselves. But there are many other types of conduct where we are supposed to be nonconformists. Paul taught the Roman Christians (Romans 12:1-2) to avoid conformity to pagan practices and false values. They were to value the spiritual over the material and use the mind to guide the body. Good advice for all of us!

There are many ways of thinking and behaving today that lead us in the wrong direction. Our religious beliefs challenge us to be transformed daily into spiritual people in the midst of a materialistic world. Transformation is a call to conversion… a change of mind and heart to live a more excellent, higher and holier life.

- Deacon Robert