Be Ye Transformed

A Call to Action

Romans 12:1–2 NKJV

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. 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.

A Call to Sacrifice the desires of the flesh and its desires

Jesus Addresses the Flesh

Mark 14:37-38

Mark 14:37–38 NKJV

Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

John 6:63

John 6:63 NKJV

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life.

Why do you think that Jesus came doen so hard on the flesh?

Read Romans 8:8, how can we please God?

Paul Address the Flesh

Romans 7:5

Romans 7:5 NKJV

For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death.

Romans 8:1

Romans 8:1 NKJV

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

How can you walk according to the Spirit?

If there is no condemnation in Christ can we simply do whaever we like?

Paul Addresses the Mind

Romans 8:5-8

Romans 8:5–8 NKJV

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

What does Paul mean by "carnally minded"?

The Greek word here mind, is Phroneo - meaning to thnk, refers to the Field of reason, inner most part, understanding, inner attitude

The problem is that it has been corupted!

Man reasons from a position of what "HE" thinks is right rather than what God revels is right

Mans fooloshness - The Divine Will vs: Man's Arrogance

Romans 1:20–23 NKJV

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.

Modern man has changed the gloy of God for a corrupted image of whart he is...a sinner

How has modern man changed the glory of God?

Paul Provides the Key

Romans 12:2 NKJV

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.

Plato said that the "soul of man has receptivity" or can be influenced and that the intelect can assist man in the battle against good and evil

Socrates then said that the intelect can "denote the rule of good over the soul."

Isn't good enough to have a good intention even though it is not acted upon?

Paul would quite correctly argue that...

Romans 7:21–25 NKJV

I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.

The mind needs renewed to the way of God that then results in the mastery of the flesh!

Romans 12:2 NKJV

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.

The word conformed here is the greek word that means to assimilate, conform, or become

In what ways is the world trying to conform you to its image?

It is in the present tense signifying that it is an action that began and is still in progress and not yet complete

Middle voice - Subject is being acted upon by its own action or is acting upon itself or...

Imparative - Command, intention, or exhortation

Meaning - to become behaviorally or socially similar to; to be conceived of as being or becomming shapped or molded to a certain pattern

The world is trying to capture your mind and conform it to its ways!

Paul uses the Greek word metamorpho - to remodel or Change into another form

Kittle - "With reference to an outward chage of form perceptible to the senses"

So that what?

Romans 12:2 NKJV

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.

The word will here is a Greek term whoch finds its root in the erotic. It was used to speak of a man's compultion or drive - passion - What is God's passion? THe souls of men!

Before the cross our passion and desire was our own fulfillment - after ta cross, we should be filled with God's passion and fullfiment of the call of God in our lives.

What does the Bible reveal about the passion of God?