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Do not be conformed to this age...
Romans 12:2 CSB

Do not conform to the pattern of this world...
Romans 12:2 NIV

Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world...
Romans 12:2 NLT

Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. 
Romans 12:2 MSG

What are the ideas of this age, the patterns of this world, the behaviour and customs, the culture that we just fit into without even thinking?
Some of the norms of where happiness is found, what success looks like, what whanau looks like, what church is, what's important.
Paul is asking us here to step back and examine what or who is driving our life and telling us to be careful that it's not the dominant ideas of this age.
In verse 1 Paul asks us to position ourselves first and foremost in relation to God, our God who bent down and stepped into his creation, who's love brought him close, so close that he gave himself for us. 
Ridiculous, reckless, love.
Ridiculous, reckless love that wants us close, wants us moving closer, and in that space examine the ideas of this age, the patterns of this world, the behaviour and customs, the culture that we are nudged into.
May God's character and love for us be our guide as we navigate this damaged, messy, beautiful world.
#somethingtochewon

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