Romans 12.1-2: The Process of Transformation

How do I put this into practice? That is the question I want you thinking about right now.

Paul’s plan for transformation… Romans 12.1-2

• Basis: mercy (grace, Holy Spirit)… this is how Paul summarizes Rom 1-11

• Goal: wisdom discernment – not just following the rules; know what to do & have power to do it

• Process:

• A lot of people in our world promise transformation. And in large part you can break their promises and strategies down into two main categories:

  • Self-help – change the way you think; these strategies focus on the mind

  • Health and Wellness – change the way you eat and exercise; these

strategies focus on the mind

• I find it fascinating that long before the self-help industry or our addiction to dieting, Paul spoke with Holy Spirit wisdom and included both. That’s what we see in 12.1-2: Want to chance? Then do something with your body, and something with your mind. Let’s take them in reverse order.

• Mind – don’t conform to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds

  • Don’t conform to everyone around you, Paul says. But notice what comes

next:

- He does not say “withdraw”; make your own little Christian ghetto 

where you’ll be safe and protected from that nasty world out there

- But instead he says stay and think different. 

- Growing bodies of psychology and neuroscience are consistently 

confirming what common sense teaches and the Bible has been saying for a long time: What we believe, what think, how we process the world and God and ourselves, matters.

- This means that one of the most powerful disciplines you can practice is 

thinking about what is true.

• Body – offer your bodies as a living sacrifice

  • We’re basically talking about obedience

  • But we’re seeing obedience as worship

  • “Offer” or “consecrate” sacrifice language;

    • And if it wasn’t clear, the following “as a living sacrifice, holy

and pleasing to God”

• So it’s a sacrifice, but a living one, holy and pleasing to God

• So there it is. Concentrate your mind and Consecrate your body. Think and obey – not by your natural power but by the Spirit’s power; not to earn God’s favor, but to form new habits that build on gospel truth.

• I beg of you to take this personally, not leave it on the level of theory. Do some examination:

• How can I arrange my day to intentionally think about gospel truth?

• What habits need some attention? Mouth; eyes; hands; feet

• The world is watching to see if your Christianity – if your “good news” – makes a tangible difference in how you live. It can and it will if you let it. Romans 12.1-2