Being Transformed by the Renewal of our Minds

In Romans 12:1 Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which he says is our spiritual worship. In Romans 12:2 he gives us some idea of what this means for everyday life: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

First, Paul tells us not to be conformed to this world. The word for “conformed” literally means “to fashion something by using a shaped container.” Therefore, what Paul is saying is don’t be shaped into the world’s mold. Don’t think like the world thinks. Don’t feel like the world feels. Don’t act like the world acts. If we’re to offer ourselves to God, we must no longer offer ourselves to the world to be shaped into its image.

Second, Paul tells us to be transformed by the renewal of our minds. The word for “transformed” means “to be perceptibly or even visibly changed.” It’s the same word that’s used in Matthew 17:2 to describe the transfiguration of Jesus. So, the vision is that, as we offer ourselves up to God, he works to transforms us from the inside out. As I said in my sermon last week, God is not trying to outwardly modify our behavior; he’s transforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. And the specific means by which he’s doing this is the renewal of our minds.

How, precisely, does God renew our minds? Primarily, I think, by the Word of God. I see no other way for our minds to be renewed, and weaned off our former ways of thinking, except by saturating them with the Word. Do you long to offer yourselves to God and grow in holiness? Then devote yourselves to the Word of God. Saturate your minds with it. And slowly but surely your way of thinking will come more into conformity with God’s, and you will be able to test and approve the will of God, to see what is good and acceptable and perfect in every situation.

Longing with you to be transformed into the image of Jesus,
Pastor Charlie