Transforming the Mind

The challenge...

Romans 12:1–2 (NET 2nd ed.)

Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

A little reminder...

1 Corinthians 1:25 NET 2nd ed.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

and...

1 Corinthians 3:19 NET 2nd ed.

For the wisdom of this age is foolishness with God. As it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness.”

Everything we have been taught is suspect.

Even in church

Colossians 2:8 NET 2nd ed.

Be careful not to allow anyone to captivate you through an empty, deceitful philosophy that is according to human traditions and the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

No Ifs, Ands, or Buts

The world we grew up in...

Genesis 4:8 NET 2nd ed.

Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.

The world God is reconstructing...

Acts 2:14–15 NET 2nd ed.

But Peter stood up with the eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: “You men of Judea and all you who live in Jerusalem, know this and listen carefully to what I say. In spite of what you think, these men are not drunk, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning.

Acts 2:16 NET 2nd ed.

But this is what was spoken about through the prophet Joel:

Acts 2:17 NET 2nd ed.

‘And in the last days it will be,’ God says, ‘that I will pour out my Spirit on all people, and your sons and your daughters will prophesy, and your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.

Acts 2:18 NET 2nd ed.

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.

Acts 2:19 NET 2nd ed.

And I will perform wonders in the sky above and miraculous signs on the earth below, blood and fire and clouds of smoke.

Acts 2:20 NET 2nd ed.

The sun will be changed to darkness and the moon to blood before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.

Acts 2:21 NET 2nd ed.

And then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’

Now, perhaps we can understand...

Romans 12:1–2 NET 2nd ed.

Therefore I exhort you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a sacrifice—alive, holy, and pleasing to God—which is your reasonable service. Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.

At the throne

Mark 12:30–31 NET 2nd ed.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

How that transformed, surrendered, love-filled life should look...

Romans 12:9–10 NET 2nd ed.

Love must be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another with mutual love, showing eagerness in honoring one another.

Romans 12:11–12 NET 2nd ed.

Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, endure in suffering, persist in prayer.

Romans 12:13–14 NET 2nd ed.

Contribute to the needs of the saints, pursue hospitality. Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse.

Romans 12:15–16 NET 2nd ed.

Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty but associate with the lowly. Do not be conceited.

Romans 12:17–18 NET 2nd ed.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil; consider what is good before all people. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people.

Romans 12:19–21 NET 2nd ed.

Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

And wait...

Philippians 2:9 NET 2nd ed.

As a result God highly exalted him and gave him the name, that is above every name,

Philippians 2:10 NET 2nd ed.

so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow —in heaven and on earth and under the earth—

Philippians 2:11 (NET 2nd ed.)

and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.