The Fashion Of This World

by G. Jarvie | Category: General | Oct 1961

"Be not fashioned according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12.2).

"The fashion of this world passeth away" (1 Corinthians 7.81).

In Romans 12.1, Paul urges us, by the mercies of God to present ourselves to God. We are not our own, for we have been bought with a price, and now as those who belong to God, we should seek to know the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. This is the beginning of all acceptable service for God.

When we think of the greatness of our salvation, and of the hope that is laid up for us in the heavens, we can readily see that there must also be a radical change in our outlook on life. At one time we were absorbed in the things of the present life, but now we can see clearly that these are only transient, they are passing away. At one time we thought only of our own things, we lived for ourselves, but now we think less of ourselves, we live instead for Him who died for us. It is when we yield ourselves to God that we begin to know the fulness of the Spirit of God, and the new life takes on a new meaning for us. We see the vanity of many things that are highly esteemed in the world by those who are unsaved. We see things differently. We are now led by the Spirit of God, according to the word of God, while those of this world are led by their own desires and by the god of this age.

Much that is in the newspapers will make no appeal to those who love Christ. The cinema will be altogether out-of-bounds; it is of the world. Novels and some books and magazines that are published will not be relished now. We have new desires because of the new life within us. The radio will make little appeal, and television will be eschewed. Our sisters in the Lord will find that much of this world's fashion is contrary to the word of the Lord. Hair styles which require short hair, are clearly contrary to the word of the Lord, for we read that "If a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering" (1 Corinthians 11. 15).

Godly women will refuse to be fashioned according to this world in this respect. Lipstick and nail polish are much used by the women of this world, but our sisters who love the Lord, will refrain from these things, and also from wearing much jewellery. The King desires their beauty, and His word is, "not with braided hair, and gold or pearls or costly raiment; but (which becometh women professing godliness) through good works" (1 Timothy 2.9, 10).

This will mean that our sisters may seem plain, compared with other women. But whatever they may seem in the eyes of the world is of small account. The fashion of this world is passing away, and they will lose nothing, but will gain much by not being in the top fashion. The joy of the Lord will more than compensate for anything they may shun in seeking to please Him.

But we are not merely to be negative in refusing the fashion of the world, we are to press on to the transformation that takes place in our lives when our minds are renewed. The writer thinks that this is a daily renewing which is ours as we seek it by prayer. We are expected to grow, increasing in the knowledge of God, daily learning more of the will of God, that is good and acceptable and perfect. The fashion of this world is like a passing whim, uncontrolled and uncontrollable. It is a continually changing scene where men and women seek to satisfy themselves with something that cannot satisfy. They should come to an end of themselves, and find satisfaction where only it can be found-in doing His will.

Brethren and sisters, let u~ refuse to be fashioned according to this world. Let us find joy and satisfaction in doing the perfect will of God.

G. Jarvie | Oct 1961
General