The Power Of A Transformed Life Part 7
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2
Romans 12 exhorts us to “present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God.” It also tells us not to be conformed to the things of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we can tell what God’s will is. We are new creations because we are in Christ. The old things have passed away and all things are new (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Justification refers to God’s immediate embracing of the sinner when they have repented. It takes place immediately and it means that we are saved. Sanctification however, refers to God’s working by His Holy Spirit to fashion the life that we now exhibit and this is a continuous process that goes on as long as we are on earth. Thus our position in Christ is what gives us the victory and the ability to say that we are new creations. We are therefore able to resist conforming to the world. The Holy Spirit allows us to go through the process of transformation. He plays a vital role in our lives from beginning to end.
We cannot be transformed unless we are saved. We are saved by confession and through repentance which is justification. However, we are also being saved through the continuous transforming of our minds which is sanctification. There is also glorification which means that we will be saved. We are already a new creature when we are saved and are thus able to do that which is right. We do not do good works in order to be saved. We cannot work ourselves into God’s kingdom. However, once we are saved, we can do good works.
Romans 12 tells us in verse 2 not to be conformed to this world. It is not a suggestion, but rather a command. Being conformed really speaks to an adherence to the prevailing systems of the world or to become similar in form, nature or character to something else. There are certain things that we need to conform to such as paying our taxes and bills, but Paul is speaking about our attitudes towards to the world system, which is inherently evil, when he speaks of not being conformed.
The world says things like: “If it feels good, do it,” but this opens the door for evil. Likewise, the saying that this is “a dog eat dog world,” suggests that we should do whatever it takes to succeed even if it means crushing someone else. However, this process of obtaining what we want might have destroyed many, but the world does not care because it worships success in the form of having money. We therefore have to press against the world’s system even though it can be uncomfortable. Suffering, though, is a natural part of the Church and we must embrace it. God has a purpose for it.
It is not enough just to try through our own hope and effort not to conform to this world. We would fail. Our ability not to conform to this world, only comes from being in Christ. Anything else will be a temporary state. This process of being transformed by our mind’s renewal takes time. We might ask what is wrong with our minds, but as we see in Ephesians 4:20-22 we are corrupt through deceitful desires. The natural demeanor of the mind is hostility towards God. Romans 8:7-8 indeed tells us that the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s laws and in fact, it cannot. This therefore emphasizes why it is necessary to renew our minds.
Romans 1:28-31 speaks of those who did not see it fit to acknowledge God and His turning such persons over to a debased mind in order to do what they felt like. Such persons were filled with all manner of evil things. A Christian cannot operate with such a mind set and we need a renewed mind to be transformed.
As Christians, we sometimes like short cuts and use prayer as a means to get what we want when we know that God has already told us what to do. For example, in the renewing of our minds, we have to do it for ourselves by studying and meditating on God’s Word and staying in fellowship with believers. We cannot just pray for a renewed mind to happen. Naturally we are programmed to be self-centered from birth. Babies are prime examples and we take that attitude with us throughout our lives. We can even be self-centered in our worship because it is all about what God can do for us. However, self-centeredness points to pride. God warns us to avoid pride, though.
Transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit, but the renewal of our minds is our responsibility. 2 Corinthians 3:4 expresses our realization that we are not so sufficient in ourselves, that we think that anything good comes from us. Instead, it is God working through our lives to glorify Christ, and we then have the opportunity to impact the society, the individual and the world.
When God speaks His sovereign will, it is not up for debate. We comply with what He decrees. Christ’s crucifixion was decreed by God before the world began, so Pilate and those who conspired to kill Christ, were simply complying with God’s sovereign will. Daniel 4:28-35 speaks to God’s sovereignty and His dislike of pride. This story is about Nebuchadnezzar and his boasting of all that he had achieved. While he was still speaking pridefully, a voice from heaven was heard and his kingdom was immediately taken from him and he went to live like a wild animal until he realized that “the most high rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom He will.” On coming to his senses, Nebuchadnezzar was able to admit that God’s kingdom is from “generation to generation.” Verse 35 tells us that none can stay God’s hand and that He does according to His will.
God’s passive will or will-of-command is one that we know, but we do not have to obey it and do it. Indeed, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 tells us to give thanks in all circumstances, but even though this is God’s will, we can honestly say that we do not do this all the time. The only way that we will be able to discern God’s will concerning our lives and that of our family or of our nation is if we are transformed and our minds are being renewed. That is, if we are a new creation.
