Be Transformed

Romans 12:1-2: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Paul was beseeching (begging) brethren, individuals who had already been transformed into children of God by the power of God. He was beseeching them to live like who they are, children of God. They should no longer be conformed to those who are not the children of God, those who are still in and of the world. With His help they can live lives that are acceptable to God. Those who are not the children of God cannot live lives that are acceptable to Him. It is not in them because He has not put it in them.

They had become his brethren because of the mercy of God. His mercy goes further. Because of it His children can present their bodies to Him, a living sacrifice. Because of His mercy their lives can be transformed. Because of His mercy they can live like children of God instead of enemies of God. Because of His mercy, their minds can be renewed. The renewing of their minds should be a continuing process, a growth process.

What should be different about a transformed individual? He should think different thoughts and his different thoughts should cause different speech and different behavior.

He should think differently about God. He should know that God has done something wonderful for Him that he did not deserve and that no one else could do. He should think differently about the Bible. He should know that it is God*s gift to him and he should treasure it. He should think differently about himself. He should know that he was lost but is now eternally saved. He should think differently about sin. He should despise it in others and especially in himself. He should ask the Lord to forgive him whenever he sins. He should think differently about Christians. He should have an enjoyable relationship with them that he did not have before. He should think differently about unbelievers. He should recognize that they are lost, pray for them, witness to them and if it is possible share the gospel with them. He should think differently about the world. He should know that he is no longer a part of it and should live like he is a citizen of Heaven. He should know that he has three enemies, the world, his flesh and the Devil.

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