Don't Conform, Be Transformed
Notes
Transcript
Several weeks ago, I had read Romans 12:2 for the Call to Worship, and later thought it would be a good passage to dive into a little bit. I also vaguely remembered a little saying on our bulletins a while back that said something about being a Bible believing and transforming church or something like that. It really got me thinking on the part of Romans 12:2 that states that we need to be transformed by the renewal of our mind, and this goes along with the last message I gave, about rest for the weary, but now we are talking about the renewal of our mind. This is very critical to us as Christians, especially when we talk about our walk with Christ.
Let’s start off by reading this weeks scripture.
Romans 12:1-2
1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 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.
As we consider this text, several questions come to mind...
1. What does it mean to be transformed?
2. What is the goal of transformation?
3. What should motivate us to undergo transformation?
4. What does one do in order to experience transformation?
So, lets start off with the first question, What does it mean to be transformed?
A. The Word.
The Greek word is metamorphoō, which means, “to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure.” It is also where we get the word, metamorphosis, which is , “a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means.” Kind of like a tadpole turning into a frog.
In the New Testament, this word was used to describe what happened to jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration.
1 And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.
This is also what is to happen to Christians in their service to God. We are to be transformed.
B. The concept
The idea that Paul is trying to convey here is that Christians are “to undergo a complete change, which under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct.”
People like to use fuzzy caterpillars and beautiful butterflies to describe these type of transformations, but come on, lets be real…seriously, we are like tadpoles and toads. Nothing beautiful about our nature…I know, after excepting Christ we are much better, but still. Toads.
In verse 2, Paul is using his passive voice, telling us to be transformed…this indicates that this transformation is something that we allow to be done to us. This is not something that we can do by our own power alone. We need to give in to the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. We submit to God’s power and this is done by His grace. Because of His grace, we are changed into another form as become a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17,
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
And this leads us to our second question, “What is the goal of transformation?”
A. To become like Christ...
Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
God has already chosen us. Romans 8:29 says, “29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
The purpose of being a disciple is told to us in Luke 6:40 “40 A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.”
The goal of Christian living should be to strive to be renewed in knowledge in the image of Christ. Colossians 3:9-10 “9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.”
B. The second goal of transformation, is to live like Christ...
1st, we are to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God. Hebrews 10:5 “5 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me;”
Christ lived his whole life on earth as a living sacrifice to God. Everything Jesus did, was pleasing to the Father. There is no better example for how we should be living our lives than the example Jesus gave us while he walked the earth.
As Christ did, we too are to present our bodies as living sacrifices. Romans 12:1, “1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”
Paul writes that this is our spiritual worship, or reasonable service in some translations. This term implies being spiritually dedicated to God. We do not serve God in a one-time act of dedication at the altar, but through an ongoing lifestyle of sacrificial obedience to God. Based on all that God has done for us, it is only reasonable, or rational, that believers dedicate their entire lives to God. Living in such a way is an act of worship.
Jesus explains why he came to earth in
John 6:38 “38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.”
So, if Jesus came to prove that God’s will is good, acceptable, and perfect, why should we be any less. Romans 12:2, “2 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.”
Be transformed, so we may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. This is the goal of being a Christian. But yet, why do many never experience the transformation that God offers? Why do the remain tadpoles, or caterpillars? Maybe they lack the proper motivation…which brings us to question 3.
“What is the motivation for transformation?”
The first motivation, should be the mercies of God. In Romans 12:1, Paul is urging us based on God’s mercies.
The mercies that Paul talked about in his letter to the Romans were:
Freedom from sin. Romans 6:16-18, “16 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, 18 and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”
Gift of eternal life - Romans 6:23, “23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Peace with God - Romans 5:1, “1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Access to the grace of God - Romans 5:2, “2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”
Paul writes to Titus for what the grace of God brings us. Titus 2:11-14, “11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.”
5. Saved from the wrath of God, Romans 5:9, “9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.”
So, to recap these 5 real quick, Don’t be slaves to sin, for the wages of sin is death, since we have been justified through faith, we have gained access into His grace.
Should God’s mercy not be enough to move us to repent and seek this transformation? Paul writes what is in store for us if we don’t change in Romans 2:4-5, “4 Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? 5 But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed.”
The second motivation is the love of Christ.
Paul revealed the motivating power of the love of Christ in 2 Corinthians 5:15 “15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.”
Paul shares about the love that compelled him to live for Jesus in Galatians 2:20, “20 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Should not our love of Christ move us to live for him and like him?
Think about it for a minute. God loved us so much, that Jesus was sent here, and never committed a sin, to be a perfect sacrifice to atone for our sins. And, if we love Christ as we say we do, should we not want to be a part of this transformation?
The third motivation, is the only alternative of transformation.
The alternative to being transformed, is being conformed to this world, which we are told not to do.
The definition of conform, “comply with rules, standards, or laws; behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards. So, if we don’t fight being transformed, then we must conform with the world, that is constantly changing its socially acceptable standards. And if we profess that we follow Christ, but conform to the world, then doesn’t this bring shame to the name of Christ? Would it not be easier to be transformed, where God’s standards never change? Why not let the mercies of God and the love of Christ motivate us to seek transformation? It is not as difficult as someone may think.
Which brings up the 4th question, “What is the process of transformation?”
So, we need to remember first, that transformation is a passive process. Romans 12:2 tells us to “be transformed.” We cannot change ourselves by our own strength or works. We must submit to God’s working on us.
Second, it begins when we are baptized into Christ. Paul writes,
Romans 6:3-8 ,
3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.
When joined in faith and repentance, baptism becomes the starting point in which true transformation can take place.
The transformation processes continues as we renew our mind as our text indicated.
Renewing the mind is possible by where we set our minds:
a. setting our minds on things above - Colossians 3:1-2, “1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”
b. setting our minds on the things of the spirit - Romans 8:5, “5 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
This means feeding our minds with the Word of God, prayer, and fellowship as is shown in Acts 2:42, “42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”
With our minds renewed, we can experience a true transformation by living according to the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 “5 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 set their minds on the things of the Spirit.”
The process of transformation is quite simple if you think about it, for example.
Meditate and contemplate on God and His Word.
Keep your mind in communication with God through prayer.
Involve your mind in spiritual worship through frequent assembling with others
Center your mind on Jesus through the Lord’s Supper
If we keep these things in mind, our mind will gradually be renewed. We need to remember, we are not alone; God is at with with us. Paul writes in Philippians 1:6, “6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
So, you have to wonder what hinders so many Christians. If the process is so easy, why do many Christians remain “caterpillars?”
Were they not regenerated at their baptism? Don’t they have the promise of God’s help? The answer is Yes to both of these.
But maybe the problem is a failure to renew their mind. For instance, how can your mind be renewed, if you are starving it, such as irregular prayer or Bible study? How can you renew your mind if you are doing things you know God wouldn’t approve of?
Maybe many Christians do not experience transformation because they become what they think, and much of what they think upon is not becoming of a Christian. Or, they spend more time watching things of the devil than reading things of the Spirit.
Our attitudes and behavior is but a reflection of what goes into our minds.
As we conclude things this morning, I want to recap a couple of things.
We have been called to be transformed into the image of Christ.
We have all the motivation we need with God’s mercies and Christ’s love.
We also have the opportunity to start fresh by the washing of regeneration, and we must allow our minds to be renewed by setting them on things above.
2. God wants to give us a complete make over.
God provided the means to remove the deformity of sin with the blood of Jesus.
God provides the tools necessary (Bible Study, prayer, fellowship) to keep our transformation going.
I want to try and hammer this home with this little story. About a month or so ago, my wife and I went to Frankenmuth and we tried something completely different. We went into a blacksmith shop…where we got to work with metal.
So, we took a railroad spike similar to this one. When it was new and fresh, not as perfect as Adam and Eve, but it was well crafted nonetheless. Over time, it started to get pitted and rusty, and imperfections showing, kind of like people now as time goes on. When we decide to get baptised and accept Christ, it starts our transformation and is only the beginning. Just like us, it was time for the railroad spike to be renewed and transformed. So, it goes into this really hot forge until it is red hot and ready to accept the beginning of its transformation, and it gets worked on slowly and then goes in the fire. Over and over again, until it is transformed into something new that we willed it to become, like this knife. And that is similar to us. Our transformation isn’t instantaneous. It takes time. When God thinks we are ready for a little work, he pulls us out of his forge and starts to work on us. Gets to a stopping point, and lets us get renewed and ready for some more transformations, and on and on. While we walk this earth, we will always be a work in progress. Always needing to be renewed, so that we can discern what is the will of God, what is good, acceptable, and perfect.