Someone who does not conform to this world has his thoughts well arranged. He/she is secure in the love of God and does not enlist the tricks and tools of the fearful striving that goes on everywhere today. There's no need to pressure, gossip, envy, suspect or compete with to become an achiever and insure his position in the world (II Corinthians 10:12). He is one who has God as the wind in his sails and enjoys the complete incredible freedom to live life to the fullest.
In Romans 8, the magna carta of freedom for the believer (our constitutional protection plan from God) , we can read that we are more than conquers in a number of situations, starting with mental pressure (tribulation). That is where everything starts. Ever feel like you are being pushed in a corner mentally? Or how about when things that seem to follow you around and push at you? (like the economy for example?) Are there things that seem to hang over your head? Have you ever felt that like you are being carved up in little pieces (Romans 8:35)? All the more reason to be persuaded to turn to God for answers. He is well aware of what’s going on and He provides excellent avenues of escape (I Corinthians 10:13).
Romans 8 feeds into Romans 12 (Romans 9-11 is a parenthesis dealing with Israel) In the understanding of what it means to be more than conqueror, we break out of the world's mold. Getting ‘born again’ (which is a term much bandied about these days) gets us to the right place spiritually. The location in which we are born determines our citizenship. To be ‘born again’ changes our citizenship and our world. We have citizenship from someplace else. We are asked to become ambassadors from above. It is from this vantage point we can truly help others. Our heavenly culture is in our hearts and we share it with others who earnestly seek the freedom that we have.
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