When in Romans… Be Transformed, Not Conformed

Intro

Good morning! Can you believe we’re almost in September? School is starting again—shout out if you’re excited! Growing up, I loved math. I still do—I’ve always been a big numbers guy. I’m so glad God called me into ministry, where I get to flex that muscle. At least there’s the book of Numbers—that helps!

I remember being in 3rd grade with one of those math fact worksheets. Oh man—my heart races just thinking about it. Anyone remember these? It was a huge competition. As soon as the paper hit my desk—boom—I was off. What I loved wasn’t just winning—it was the logic. This plus this, times this, always equals this. 4×3? Always 12. Anything else would be illogical.

Today we’re in Romans 12—see, I still love numbers—and Paul says:

Romans 12:1 NLT

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.

Paul lays out the life of a follower of Jesus—a radical life where every part of us is given to God. Is it out of blind obedience? Is this just an arbitrary command? No. Paul says, “because of all he has done for you.” Just like a math equation, Romans 12 is the logical conclusion, the response to everything Jesus has done for you.

This is where spiritual transformation doesn’t make sense in our culture. We live in a self-help, “just do it” world. Want physical transformation? Exercise! Eat better! Emotional transformation? Join a group. See a therapist. Spiritual transformation? Go to church, read your Bible, pray, give a tithe—check, check, check, and boom: spiritual life complete.

That’s how the Pharisees operated. That’s how the world operates. But Paul shows us transformation looks different. Romans 12:2 says:

Romans 12:2 NLT

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

It’s so interesting—“Let God transform you.” Just geek out with me for a moment. The Greek word used is μεταμορφόω, where we get the word metamorphosis. It’s in the passive imperative—passive, meaning it’s something being done to you, and imperative, meaning it’s a command. So, we are called to cooperate with what God is already doing in us.

How does that work? Not just by changing habits or perfecting a devotional routine—but by changing the way you think. A life of following Jesus is a life where your mind is being renewed, transformed more and more to think differently than the world. A complete renewal of the mind. And in the rest of Romans 12, we’ll see four ways this transformed life looks radically different from the world around us.

A Life of Unceasing Worship

The first transformation we are called to is a life of unceasing worship. Continuing in verse 1, Paul says,

Romans 12:1 NLT

Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

Now, this is kind of funny-Paul says, "living sacrifice." He's basically saying, "be a living dead thing." What he's inviting us to imagine would have been very familiar to his audience: a Jewish person bringing their finest animal to the temple, wholly devoted on the altar. Paul says, "Just as the animal was completely given to God, so your whole life is to be devoted to Him-not just one moment on an altar, but every moment of your daily living." He adds, "This is truly the way to worship Him."

Too often, we think in percentages. I’ll give a portion of my time—church, small groups, devotions. A portion of my finances. But sacrifices don’t work in percentages. The animals on the altar didn’t get up after an hour and say, “Okay, that’s it for me.” And Jesus didn’t suffer, die, and rise again so we could spend just one hour a week worshiping Him.

No, you are a living sacrifice. You were created to worship the living God every moment. What does that look like? The tired mother changing her child’s diaper when no one else sees. The employee choosing integrity when cutting corners would be easier. The student refusing to cheat, even when everyone else does. Every moment is an opportunity—through your actions, words, and attitude—to show that Jesus Christ is worthy of it all.

A conformed mind says, “Worship is a one-hour obligation.” A transformed mind says, “Worship is an every-moment response to God.”

A Life of Deep Humility

The second transformation we are called to is a life of deep humility. Paul goes on,

Romans 12:3 NLT

Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don’t think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.

In our world, everything is about getting big and strong—advancing, building a name, being someone important. Every part of your mind is shaped to think about yourself all the time. We think accomplishment, status, and fame are security—but the more you build on them, the more fragile they prove to be. Pride, at its core, is just deep insecurity; it says, “I need accomplishments, affirmation, or approval to know my value.”

What shatters pride? Seeing someone above you willingly move below you. Ever watch your boss cleaning up something you and your coworkers ignored—and suddenly you’re thinking, “Oh wow, who made this mess? Can I help?” Nothing humbles like that.

This is exactly what the gospel does. The One at the highest place—God Himself—emptied Himself and took the lowest place of a servant, all on our behalf. If God can do that for me, how can I cling to pride? Nothing outside Him—no accomplishment, affirmation, or approval—can shake my value.

A conformed mind says, “I chase pride to prove my worth.” A transformed mind says, “I embrace humility with Jesus because I know my worth.”

A Life of Outward Service

The third transformation we are called to is a life of outward service. Paul continues,

Romans 12:6–8 NLT

In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

This isn’t a complete list of God’s gifts, but notice two things: first, every gift—every talent and ability—is given and entrusted by God. Second, every gift is meant to benefit someone else. Serving? Serve. Teaching? Teach. Encouragement? Encourage. Every gift points to a need in someone else’s life, and that mindset is transformative.

With school starting, juniors and seniors are often asked, “What will you do after high school? What college? What career?” Let’s be honest—most adults aren’t where they thought they’d be. We can trust God.

Too often, career questions are inward-focused: What will make me happiest? The most money? Gain status? The least stress? That’s worldly thinking.

I wonder what questions Jesus would ask our youth if He were sitting down with them. Maybe: “How has God gifted you in your life? What has He especially gifted you to do? And who can those gifts serve? What need in someone else’s life can you meet?” Don’t worry about the money—if I was willing to die for you, don’t you think I’ll provide for you? You were created for a purpose and impact far greater than just serving yourself. A conformed mind says, “The purpose of my life is to live for myself.” A transformed mind says, “The purpose of my life is to meet the needs of others.”

A Life of Radical Love

And finally, the fourth transformation we are called to in Romans 12 is a life of radical love. Paul says,

Romans 12:9–10 NLT

Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.

Paul gives this contrast between pretending to love someone and really love them. Friends, it is so easy in life to say you love someone when in reality you are saying I want you in my life as long as you meet my needs and demands as I see fit. That is not true love. That is self-centeredness masquerading as affection. True love reflects the love of Christ. True love says,

Romans 12:14 NLT

Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.

Romans 12:20 NLT

Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.

Romans 12:21 NLT

Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

There are some of you here today where your relationship with your significant other feels like it’s on the brink of falling apart. Maybe on the outside it looks like everything is fine, but you two know how it’s really been. The arguments. The bitterness. The conflict. Can i for a moment invite you to shift your thinking with me? You see, the mindset of the world looks at your relationship and says, “Look at all the problems. Look at the conflict. Look at all the reasons that you should leave.” And yet I want you to for a moment take on the mind of Jesus and see that conflict is not the absence of love. It is the opportunity for it. Jesus did not wait for us to love Him back. No He led the way. And when he went to the cross, the love of God was revealed to that which was unlovable. In the same way, you can either wait around and let the relationship arode, or you can follow in the footsteps of Jesus and conquer evil by leading the way and doing good. Loving when love isn’t deserved. Serving when it’s the last thing you want to do. A conformed mind says, “I’ll love other when it is easy or when it benefits me.” A transformed mind says, “I will sacrificially love to the degree which I have been loved by Jesus.”

Paul said in verse 2, this is God’s will for your life. That you would be transformed, not by your mechanical force, but by gazing upon Christ. See his glory that deserves every ounce of your worship, see his humility which shatter your pride, see his servant heart which sends you out, and see his radical love which leads you to love in the hardest of places.

Do not settle for a conformed life. Surrender to God and let Him transform your life, that you would die to yourself and live more and more a life reflecting Christ. Let us pray.