Be Transformed
One of my very favorite verses in the bible is Romans 12:1-2. During some really difficult seasons in my life, the truth of this scripture has always been something I go back to and find hope in. It says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
What does God want from you? He wants all of you; body, soul and spirit! When this verse talks about offering our body as a living sacrifice, that’s what he means! It’s not like the days in the old testament where people would bring animals to sacrifice to the Lord. He doesn’t want that from us, and he never did. He just wants us, wholly and completely dedicated to him! He doesn’t want your works; he wants your heart. Give your heart to the Lord, ready to do his will!
“In view of God’s mercy,” in verse 1 reminds us that we do this because of the mercy God has shown us. Mercy means to forgive or to withhold punishment. In this case, the punishment we deserve is death and condemnation. But in the Lord’s goodness, he provided us mercy by placing our penalty on Jesus Christ, who bore our sins so we could have an intimate relationship with the Lord! Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” God’s mercy is available to you whenever you are ready to receive it!
Verse 2 commands us not to conform to the patterns of the world. As we all know, our world is corrupt, and our culture does everything in its power to make us think that the evil and the corruption is what is right and what is popular. I want you to think about your life for a second. Think about the things you do on a day-to-day basis. Maybe the things that have become routine to you. Now ask yourself this: in my daily activities, do I reflect an image of Christ more than I reflect the patterns of the world around me? I hope you hear me when I say that doing things like listening to secular music or watching movies is not a bad thing at all…I mean I love a good rom com every now and then! I think it really all comes down to your own convictions. This may look different for all of us. But I think it’s important to ask yourself if the patterns and choices in your life are altering your relationship with God. Are they hindering you and causing you to compromise your beliefs? Or are they teaching and strengthening you?
As Christians, we are called to be IN this world, and not OF it. So, allow yourself to enjoy the things that really do bring you joy! I challenge you within those things to be a light to the world around you, because this world needs a whole lot more of that right now.
Obviously, you’re not always going to be in a Christian-only environment or surrounded by solely godly men and women. That’s when, as the scripture says, we can choose to be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of our minds. What does it look like to renew your mind? Well for starters, like I always say, dive into the Word of God. It starts with learning and thinking – your heart cannot worship what your heart does not know. Ask yourself “What is truth? What do I believe and how can I stand firm in that, then help make it known to the people around me?”
“Then you will be able to test and approve God’s will – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” When we are obedient to the Lord and are transformed by the renewing of our minds, God’s good, pleasing and perfect will can be laid out in our lives. When we take time to do these things on the inside, the people around us can see the evidence on the outside. They can see God’s goodness and mercy in and through us.
Challenges:
Ask yourself this question: Who has your heart? I mean who TRULY has it? God wants it, but he doesn’t just want a portion of it. He wants a total commitment from you!
Read God’s word and really dive into what you believe! Know it, stand firm in it, and share it, making the Holy Spirit known in the world around us!
Start taking little steps in your day-to-day life to look more like Jesus, and less like the world. It may be difficult, but I promise you there will be blessing on the other side of obedience. And know that I’m doing it right there with you.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for this wonderful, beautiful day! Thank you for showing us mercy when we deserved death. Thank you that Jesus paid the price for our sins so we can have a relationship with you! May we never get tired of hearing the amazing news of the gospel! I pray that we would offer ourselves up to you each and every day, so that you may have our hearts completely and use us for your will. Help us to not conform to the patterns of this world because we know the things of this earth are temporary and cannot fully satisfy us. But let us be transformed! Renewing our minds and standing firm in what we believe! Thank you for your everlasting love. We give you all the glory, honor and praise! We love you. In Jesus’ name! Amen!