Romans 12:1-2 (2)

The following passages deal with very practical issues for Christians.

Ø 12:3-8: using our spiritual gifts.

Ø 12:9-16: living in love with brothers and sisters in Christ.

Ø 12:17-21: living in love with our enemies.

Ø 13:1-7: living under the authority of government.

Ø 13:8-14: living godly lives before the people of the world.

Ø 14:1-15:13: living in love with those who are weak in the faith.

In every one of these cases, if we do not keep Rom. 12:1-2 in the forefront of our minds and hearts, we will revert to the flesh, attempting to be law-keepers in our own strength.  That is death, not life (Rom. 8:13)!  Consider Rom. 12:2.

·        “And be not conformed to this world”: This is a command.  But you will see it is still in the context of grace living.  It has to do with external conformity.  I have always liked the way J. B. Phillips put it: “Do not let the world press you into its mold.”  And “the world” is the Greek aion having to do with the prevailing culture of society.  It involves the way people tend to think and act.

·        “But be transformed”: The Greek is metamorphoō.  If this brings to mind the metamorphosis of the caterpillar to a butterfly you are right on.  The change of the believer is from the inside to the outside.  It is the word used of Christ when He was transfigured (Matt. 17:2).  And it is the word in 2 Cor. 3:18: But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  As we gaze upon (focus on, obsess with) the image of Christ in Scripture the Holy Spirit brings us more and more into His likeness!

·        “By the renewing of your mind”: Change in the heart begins with renewal of the mind.  We must think differently.  This fits what Paul said in Rom. 8 that we must set our minds on “the things of the Spirit” (8:5-11).  Even if you were raised in a Christian home and have been in church all your life you will find there are ways of thinking that make you a slave to sin.  We must think God’s thoughts!  Time in God’s word with the Spirit leading is essential.

·        “That you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God”: The result is that, rather than being conformed to the world, like Christ we are knowing and doing God’s will.  To “prove” is to demonstrate something to be genuine by experience.  Like a piece of ore tested to determine its value.  We will know God’s will, which is always good (Rom. 8:28), acceptable (doing it pleases God), and perfect (the outcome is always good).  What this means is that we will know God’s leading in every situation of life.  Think about this.  The Jews count 613 laws in the Torah, and for each there were countless rules and regulations that applied those laws to daily situations.  Christians, with renewed minds and the Spirit leading, are not dependent on a list of rules.  This is grace living and it actually works.