BE TRANSFORMED

Romans 12:1-2 (NIV) “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

CONFORM (def): To correspond in form or character; be similar; to act or be in accord or agreement; comply; to act in accordance with current customs.

TRANSFORM (def): To change markedly the appearance or form of; to change the nature, function, or condition of; convert; to alter or be altered radically in form, function.

Paul tells the Romans they are to be “living sacrifices”. The only problem with a living sacrifice is that it is always trying to climb off the alter. Let’s face it, sin is enjoyable. If it weren’t, there would be no enticement to do it. The one serious problem the individual involved in sin has is an eye sight problem. They are short sighted. They are living for the here and now and not thinking about the consequences that they will have to deal with when their ‘house of cards’ collapses … and it WILL collapse.

The devil dresses sin up to look appealing, but in the end, it is nothing more than pain and heartache wrapped nicely with a pretty bow on top. Sinning is a selfish act. Everything in the sinner’s life becomes about them. Christ desires for us to focus not on ourselves but rather on Him first and foremost and others second. We come in 3rd and that is where God wants us. If we focus on God we will know Him better and if we know Him better we will be inclined to act and react more like He would in a given situation.

Conforming is complying. Acting in agreement. But how can we act in agreement with a world that is, in large part, diametrically opposed to all that God stands for and is. Good question. We can’t. That is why the scripture tells us you cannot serve two masters. You will serve one and neglect the other. We are called to neglect those things around us that are not in line with the word of God. The enticements abound as Satan tries continually to trip us up. The closer we are to God in our relationship with Him, the easier it will start to become to turn aside from the temptations that dart at us from all directions.

Being transformed comes from renewing your mind. It should be pretty apparent how this is accomplished. You can never renew your mind by neglecting the things of God. You must read scripture, fellowship with believers, find one or several accountability partners to help keep each other in check. These are all suggestions that enable you to stay properly focused. The world comes calling each and every day. Don’t answer the call. Don’t open the door. If we resist, we win. But it will continue to come calling for the rest of this life. Be a conformist and strive each day to be a little bit more like Christ. Then you will be able to discern what God’s good, pleasing and perfect will is.

WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!