Be Transformed

Romans 12:1-2

1 Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Paul urges the Romans (and us) to present their bodies as a "living" and "Holy" sacrifice, acceptable to God, letting them know this is their service of worship to God. He didn't tell them they needed to become alive or work up to a holiness worthy of presenting. He said you are alive to God, Holy to God, and acceptable to God. Not because of what you can or have done but because you are in union with life and holiness, Jesus.
That is not how I read or understood that verse as a young Christian. I read it, "I'm certainly not holy, at least not up to God's standard, let alone acceptable. So I'm unsure if presenting myself to him in that way will ever be possible. Let me skim the bible to see if I can find something I can live up to. Can you relate?

Then Paul instructs us not to be conformed to this world. Paul meant that the world system focuses on "our" abilities to achieve and cope with life. "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps," "Just do it," "Make yourself a priority," "Self-love is the best love," and "Believe in yourself" are just a few common phrases the world tells us. All these phrases have one thing in common, they all point to dependency on ourselves.

Paul then says, "Be transformed by renewing your mind." What he is referring to is renewing our minds with what is true. A truth that does not conform to this world. In fact, it is quite the opposite in most cases. There is something that has made us acceptable to God; Jesus and Him alone. Why is it that when someone hears the truth, that they are already acceptable to God, they have a hard time believing it? Most often, it's because they are still walking according to their old way of thinking and believing. In other words, in conformity to the world's way.

Paul finishes by letting us know the result of this "renewing of our mind" process; so that you may prove God's will, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect.
Have you ever heard anyone say, "Well, I would gladly believe in God if you could just show me proof?" Or "Where's the proof God even exists?" In essence, Paul is saying that the non-conformity to this world, combined with the renewing of the mind with the truth, proves what God has already established, which is the will of God, that which is good, acceptable, and perfect. The renewing of the mind reveals the finished work of Christ in us: the perfection, the holiness, the righteousness, the goodness, the love of God. It results in us living from an unchangeable, immovable, constant, consistent, dependable, and sure foundation. God is calling us as living stones to build upon His foundation. 1 Peter 2:4-8 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For this is contained in Scripture: "Behold, I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious cornerstone, And he who believes in Him will not be disappointed." Because of your new birth, God has created you to be a living stone being built up as a spiritual house (the body of Christ) holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. You are acceptable, holy, and alive to God because of Jesus.

@ Righteous Reminders!