"Purpose-Driven and Spirit-Guided 2"

And do not be conformed to this world,

Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world,

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world,

Don't be like the people of this world but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. (Romans 12:2) For once you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as children of Light [live as those who are native-born to the Light]

(for the fruit [the effect, the result] of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth)

trying to learn [by experience] what is pleasing to the Lord [and letting your lifestyles be examples of what is most acceptable to Him—your behavior expressing gratitude to God for your salvation]. (Ephesians 5:8-10) Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and moral excellence, and [recognize and honor and] glorify your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)

So that you may prove yourselves to be blameless and guileless, innocent and uncontaminated, children of God without blemish in the midst of a [morally] crooked and [spiritually] perverted generation, among whom you are seen as bright lights [beacons shining out clearly] in the world [of darkness],

holding out and offering to everyone the word of life, because it will show that all my effort and work, produced results. (Philippians 2:15-16)

For the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18) And my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom [using clever rhetoric], but [they were delivered] in demonstration of the [Holy] Spirit [operating through me] and of [His] power. (1 Corinthians 2:4) But we have this precious treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency; the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves.. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

For since the world through all its [earthly] wisdom failed to recognize God, God in His wisdom was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached [regarding salvation] to save those who believe [in Christ and welcome Him as Savior]. (1 Corinthians 1:21)

For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing;

to the latter one an aroma from death to death [a fatal, offensive odor], but to the other an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh]. And who is adequate and sufficiently qualified for these things? (2 Corinthians 2:15-16)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God's power for the salvation of everyone;

I have complete confidence in the gospel; it is God's power to save all who believe. (Romans 1:16)