I find myself teaching biblical truths to Christians who mistakenly think it’s heresy because they are so conformed to the pattern of this church world. In other words, sometimes the Gospel seems like heresy to people who are not used to hearing it and watch more TV than they read their Bibles! Just a commentary on how distracted we all can be in our society since we have sports, hobbies, and other activities to pre-occupy our time and take us away from spending time with the Lord alone.
So, when you tell people that mankind is sinful and in desperate need of a Savior, and then that the Holy Spirit indwells a new believer to enable them to be transformed into the image of Christ, sometimes people are hearing this message for the first time. They did not realize that they did not have to stay stuck in bondage to sin.
Therefore, sometimes I must apply Romans 12:2 to Christians: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”**
Some Christians are conformed to this world and must be transformed in their thinking to find that perfect will of God. This is the primary message of compassionate, biblical counseling. People are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit working in partnership with God’s Word of truth.
-Mark (so grateful that God has transformed me, is transforming me, and will transform me – all for His glory alone)
**The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Ro 12:2). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.