For the Committed

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.  Romans 12:2

Transformer toys have interested children over the years. They begin in the shape of a robot and, with a few moves, they can look like a truck or car. Adults have also done that with vehicles – cars that will suddenly move from being horizontal to something vertical. It is the reason they are called transformers.  

Caterpillars shed their crinkly skin and are transformed into beautiful, sometimes translucent, butterflies. This transformed life is more akin to what the apostle Paul is telling the Roman believers about what needs to happen in their lives: “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Romans 12:2). By the mercies of God, the inward power of the Holy Spirit brings the truth of God to the mind of the believer and does a transforming work that cannot be matched. 

The believer who is transformed will not be conformed to the world; he is in the world, but not of it (John 17:14-16). Followers of Christ engage in activities that will, by their nature, show commitment to the Lord, and will prove that they “discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2b). Commentator D. Stuart Briscoe says that Paul “does not promise that the careless, the casual, and the uncommitted will somehow land on their feet and find out that they did God’s will by accident. Rather… those who genuinely do what is required, will… experience the reality of the sweet will of God.” 

The Word of God is your guide to living a life that pleases God. Pray for those in authority in this nation that they might accept and embrace Scripture, and undergo God’s transformation in their lives.  

Today’s Verse: Romans 12:2

 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. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Recommended for further reading: 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:4

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. 17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 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. 

4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 

All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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