“What about you?”
Jesus asked.
“Who do you say I am?”

Who do you say Jesus is?

There seems to be varying opinions today as there was when Jesus first asked this question.  In this diverse religious world we live in there are some religions who attempt to say that we are all the same.  That is far from the truth because if all religions were the same we would all be worshipping Jesus.  Only the holy universal catholic church worships Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah, the Savior, the Way, the Truth and the Life.  We must not compromise this truth by conforming to the beliefs and teachings of other religions.  We must stand firm in what we believe about Jesus.

Speaking of standing firm last weekend I was watching the Little League World Series playoff games.  It was during one of those games that the announcer made mention, not once but several times that a particular player would not be able to play in Saturday’s game.  Why do think this player could not play.  Someone died in the family and he must attend the funeral.  He got into a fight in an earlier game and is suspended for a game.  How many of you would have guessed religious reasons as being the cause?  The player is Jewish and he would not play on a Saturday, because it is the Sabbath.

I am certain that many people don’t understand that decision to not play in a Little League World Series playoff game.  After all it is a Little League World Series playoff game.

The problem with not understanding that decision points to a greater problem, that we have accepted the idea of youth sports on the Sabbath. I am not fingering out Christian children playing sports on Sunday morning.  This is just one of the many examples where believers are conforming to the patterns of this world.

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

While I applaud those who wisely decide that worldly behavior is NOT for them.  That certain behavior and practices are off limits.  I also want to warn you against thinking that those who do so are better than those who do conform.  Non-conformity to certain worldly patterns is not good enough.   You must also be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  It is not enough to refuse to conform.  You must renew your mind.  For it is possible to refrain from worldly practices and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant.

What does your life say?  Are you conforming to the worldly patterns or are you being transformed by the renewing of your mind?

Paul urges his fellow believers

“to offer their bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God…
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

What are the patterns of this world?
I can think of two major patterns in this world, relativism and selfism.
Everything is relative; there is no absolute truth, no absolute authority. I will do what I like as long as I am pleased with it.  This is who I am if you don’t like it that is your problem.  I don’t care what the Bible says this is what I believe.

The patterns of this world are disintegrating belief and faith in God.  If you want to see a good example of faith today go down the driveway on the far side of the education building.  You will notice at the bottom of the drive that the retaining wall is in rather bad shape.  The wall has not yet collapsed, but if we ignore it, it will indeed collapse.  The condition of this wall did not happen overnight.  Gradually over a period of time the dirt has been eroding, the wood has been rotting and the strength of the wall has been compromised.

Now we have a choice.  We can ignore the signs of disintegration, which will result in a total collapse of the wall.  Or we can take steps to shore up the wall and restore it, which would prevent it from collapsing.

We have the same choice today about the disintegration of Christian values, teachings and morals.  We have the same choice as the residents of Nineveh had when Jonah went and proclaimed God's message of coming destruction.  Paul’s message is not one of doom and destruction, but if his urging

“to offer their bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God…
Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

is ignored then we face the same consequence as Sodom and Gomorrah.

… Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Paul urges his fellow believers for the same reason a parent urges his child to study hard, to eat his vegetables, to brush her teeth, and to say please and thank you.

Paul’s advice is more than a coach giving a pep talk to the team in locker room before they take the field.  It is more than a military officer speaking to his troops before they go into battle.  Paul’s advice for you and me is like the advice a parent gives their child through the different stages of life.  Paul loved his family of believers and wanted only the very best for them.  The same way a parent loves a child and wants the very best for them.

The same way God loves us and wants the very best for us. If you don’t believe that then tell me why did God become incarnate in Jesus Christ? Why did Jesus die on the cross?  Why did he destroy the power of sin and death?  He did all this because God loves us.

Are you conforming to the patterns of this world or are you being transformed by the renewing of your mind?

Who do you say that Jesus is?
What does your calendar say about who Jesus is?
What does your checkbook say about who Jesus is?
What does the music you listen to say about who Jesus is?
What does the books and magazines you read say about whom Jesus is?
What does the way you are raising your child say about who Jesus is?
What does the way you relate to your spouse, your neighbor say about who Jesus is?

Every day you and I are faced with a choice.  The decision we make can add to the disintegration of faith in God OR the restoration of faith in God.  That depends on whether you are conforming to the patterns of this world OR being transformed by the renewing of your mind.”