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Paul wrote a plea to the church at Rome encouraging them to continue their journey in making a break with the old aeon of Judaism. It, like an old garment ready to be discarded, faded in obsolescence and hastened to vanish, (Heb. 8:13).

With that covenant, priests stood daily oftentimes offering the same animal sacrifices which could never take away sin, (Heb. 10:11). Through the one offering of Christ, the animal sacrifices having no efficacy, no longer were required.

Do Not Be Conformed

For this reason, Paul urged Christians, not to rest in the old manner of life effected through the offering of dead animals. Rather, they were to be radically different. He urged them to offer their own bodies but only as living sacrifices.

In other words, their bodies were to be used in faithful and fruitful service to the Lord. This he described as their holy, acceptable, and reasonable or logical service to God. (Rom. 12:1)

This meant non-conformity to the world. However, the word translated world is not the physical planet, nor is it the more loosely interpreted moral world as in a figurative sense. To these Christians who knew the law (Rom. 7:1ff), Paul urged them not to be conformed to that age, i.e. the aeon (age) of sin and death meaning the Jewish age.

It had become corrupt to the extent of being called the present evil age, (Gal. 1:4; 2 Pet. 1:3-4). That world had served its purpose in bringing the Jews to Christ, but many, comfortable with the temple, its sacrifices, priesthood, the law and its festivals, could not give up that cosmic comfort zone, (Phil. 3:19; Col. 3:2b).

Demas Turned Back

Demas, a prime example of one who had become a Christian, turned back in conformity to the Jewish world. “For Demas has forsaken me having loved this present age,” (2 Tim. 4:10)”

The danger of returning to that age was the destruction which awaited it in fulfillment of the words of Christ to be soon fulfilled within that generation, (Matt. 24:3, 34).

Be Transformed

Rather than conform, Paul urged a transformation. The word used here is metamorphosis. It is a combination of two Greek words, the preposition “meta” meaning after, and morpheo meaning to mold, to give shape, to fashion.

Here it carries the idea of changing one’s conduct, thoughts and judgments leading to a reformed life in the new Christian age. This takes place through the renewing or “renovation” of the mind through God’s word.

Caterpillars and Transformation

Caterpillars undergo a transformation to a butterfly. Nature controls this process. Imagine a caterpillar refusing to leave the cocoon, wanting to remain shut up inside. The result is death.

If one were to cut the cocoon open to hand the butterfly wings on a platter, the result is again the same. The struggle involved in squeezing through the cocoon presses the fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so it can fly. It is part of the transformation process.

It’s not easy leaving a comfort zone. There is pain, resistance, fear and risk. Yet the risk to remain is higher, it is death.

Jewish Christians took the risk of leaving the old age of sin and death and entering the new world of righteousness with Christ. They gave themselves as living sacrifices. Their lives were changed and they changed the lives of the world around them. While David proclaimed he was but a worm, but he lived for change,(Psa. 22:6). Like Job he waited for his appointed time when he would be changed in the likeness of Christ, (Psa. 17:15)

What are you called upon to change today? Is it your resistance to God? Is it your comfort in sin and immoral conduct? Is it abuse to your wife and kids, alcoholism or drugs? Is it your excuses for your failure? Is it your refusal to establish worthwhile goals and work to attain them? Whatever your comfort zone, transformation through Christ will bring you new life. God’s grace awaits and His mercy overflows.

William Bell, Th.M, is a minister, speaker and author of The Re-Examination, A Study of the Lord’s Second coming. He also speaks regularly in Bible prophecy seminars, workshops and teleconferences. Get your copy now at See more on Christ’s return in the Re-Examination by William Bell Jr