How To be Transformed (Romans 12:1-2) by Sis. Lilia Cabatbat

Paul gives guidelines for living, as a redeemed people in a fallen world. But how we live has to be based on what we believe. And it is only as we get into a right relationship with God, that we can begin to live in a way that pleases Him.

 

In our daily living we must crucify our desires and sinful habits that keep us from following Christ. We have to understand what we have believed so that we can behave accordingly.  If the object of our belief is right our actions follow. Proverbs 23:7 says,

 

 Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV)     For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

 

We must know by heart to whom and what we believe, and our identity in Christ so we can behave of what is expected of us as children of God.

 

Remember that what we do does not determine of who we are, but who we are determine what we do. Example, If you know that you are a child of a king definitely you will behave like a prince or a princess. We should not find significance or acceptance on what we do, but of who we are in Christ.

 

There are several questions we’ve to consider as we study the verse.

·         What does it mean to be transformed?

·         What is our goal of transformation?

·         What motivates us to undergo transformation?

·         What we can do to experience transformation?

 

I. THE WORD TRANSFORMATION

 

The  Greek word is METAMORPHOO means  “to change into another form.” This is where the word “metamorphosis” comes from. It is used to describe a change of form. For example, when a caterpillar becomes a beautiful butterfly.

 

The concept of transformation is that we the redeemed people of God are “ to undergo a complete change, which, under the power of God, will find experience in character and conduct,” ( Vine’s  dictionary ). So then, we who are caterpillars are to become  beautiful butterflies. It indicates that transformation is something we allow to be done to us, and has nothing to do by our own strength and will power, but by the power of God and by His grace alone that we are changed into another form and become a new creation. ( 2 Corinthians 5:17 ) Praise the Lord for His grace.

 

II. OUR GOAL FOR TRANSFORMATION.

 

To become like Christ, as expressed by Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:18:

 

2 Cor 3:18 (NKJV)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

 

                                           

By gazing at the nature of God with unveiled minds we can be more like HIM. In the gospel we see the truth about Christ, and it transforms us morally as we understand and apply it. By learning about Christ’s life, we can understand how wonderful God is and what He is really like, and as our knowledge of Him deepens, the Holy Spirit helps us to change. Becoming like Christ is a progressive experience. The more closely we follow Him, the more we will be like Him.

 

To live like Christ in the decaying world, by daily  denying ourselves and crucifying our flesh, that the character of Jesus be seen in us.

 

Let the love and forgiveness that we receive from HIM overflow from our hearts as we present our lives as a living testimony of HISWORD as we testify before the world that are still yet to be won for Christ.

 

III. OUR MOTIVATION FOR TRANSFORMATION (v. 1)

 

Romans 12:1 (NKJV)

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

 

These are our motivation to change:

·         The abundant mercies of God

·         Our freedom from sin

·         Our gift of eternal life

·         Our access to the grace of God

·         Having peace with God

·         We have been saved from God’s wrath

·         We are reconciled to God

 

In view of God’s mercies and love for us and for the mighty works that Jesus did on the cross for us, should compel us to be transformed, living our lives for His glory. As the scripture says in Galatians 2:20:  

 

Gal 2:20 (NKJV)

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

 

 

IV. THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION (v. 2)

 

Romans 12:2 (NKJV)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

 

It begins when we receive Jesus in our hearts and baptized into Christ. From there, we experience the working of God, the renewal of the spirit, and the desire to walk in newness of life. Complete surrender with the baptism of the Holy Spirit becomes the starting point in which true transformation can take place in us, and allowing God to reign and take full control over our hearts and minds.

 

The renewing of our minds is the process of transformation continues as we renew our minds.Let me explain the state of our mind before we came to know the Lord. Our flesh generates humanistic thoughts and ideas; it’s the part of us which was trained to live independent of God before we become Christians. At that time there was no Plan A in our life, we’re separated from God, ignorant in His ways and determined to succeed and survive by our own abilities. When we were born again, God gave us a new nature and we became a new person but nobody pressed the delete button in our brain. We brought with us into our new faith all the old Plan B habits and thought patterns of the flesh. So while our new self desires to live dependent on God and follow Plan A, our flesh persists in suggesting Plan B ways to live independent of God.

 

PLAN A - is living our life God’s way, operating by faith.

PLAN B – is living our life our way, operating by our limited ability to reason, survive and succeed.

 

In order to win the battle for our minds we need strategy. If the strongholds in our minds are the result of conditioning, then we can be reconditioned by the renewing of our minds. Anything that has been learned can be unlearned. We have to reformat our mind, deleting all our plan B habits, and reinstall the Word of God to guide and direct our new life in Him.  Remember that we’re not just up against the world and the flesh, but we’re also up against the devil who is scheming to fill our minds with thoughts which are opposed to God’s plan for our lives. 2 Corinthians 10:5  says,

 

2 Cor 10:5 (NKJV)

casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ

 

Why? Because they are the enemy’s thought. Satan’s strategy is to introduce his thoughts and ideas into our minds and deceive us into believing that they are ours, it happened to David. In 1 Chronicles 21:1:

 

1 Chron 21:1 (NKJV)

Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel.

 

Satan moved David to number Israel, an act God did not command and David acted on Satan’s idea. Did Satan simply say to David “I want you to number Israel?” David was a godly man and he would not have obeyed Satan, but he suggested the idea into David’s mind in the first person singular. “I need to know how large my army is, I think I’ll count the troops.” When Satan disguises his suggestion as your idea you are more likely to accept it. That is his primary deception.

 

Satan’s power is in the lie. He has no power over us except what we give him by failing to take every thought captive and being deceived into believing his lies. Since Satan’s primary weapon is a lie, our defense against him is truth. Dealing with Satan is not a power encounter but it’s a truth encounter.

 

When we expose Satan’s lie with God’s truth his power is broken, that’s why Jesus said:

 

John 8:32 (NKJV)  “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

 

That’s why the first piece of armor Paul mentioned for standing against the devil’s schemes is the belt of truth (Ephesians 6:14). Satan’s lie cannot withstand the truth.

 

Setting our minds

 

Col 3:2 (NKJV)   Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.

 

As we continue to fill our minds with God’s truth we will equip ourselves to recognize the lie and take it captive to obey Christ. Evaluate every thought by the truth.

 

Phil 4:8 (NKJV)

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there isany virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

 

We should master ourselves to know the real one from the fake. Praise God HE has given us His Word to guide us. Psalm 119:105 says:

 

Psalms 119:105 (NKJV)    Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

                         

Turn to God when your commitment to Plan A is challenged by Plan B thoughts from the world, the flesh or the devil, bring them to God in prayer by doing so you’ve acknowledge God and exposing your thoughts to the truth.

 

Psalms 4:6 (NKJV)

There are many who say, "Who will show us any good?" Lord, lift up the light of Your countenance upon us.

 

VICTORY IN THE BATTLE FOR OUR MIND IS THE UNDISPUTED INHERITANCE OF EVERYONE WHO IS IN CHRIST. AMEN

 

HINDRANCES FOR OUR TRANSFORMATION

 

Pride, resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness. Irregular bible study, prayerlessness and no fellowship. Feeding our minds with junk TV shows, magazines, books and movies. Spending more time on Facebook instead of spending time with God in prayer and reading and studying of His Word.

 

Remember that our attitudes and behavior is but a reflection of what goes into our minds.

   

CONCLUSION

 

We all have been called to be transformed. God’s abundant mercies and His love should motivate us to seek transformation of our hearts and mind. Our goal is: a) to become like Christ and  b) to live like Christ.

 

We must allow our minds to be renewed by deleting all our old thought patterns that are contrary to God’s plan for us and stars filling our minds with the things of God (Colossians 3:2, Philippians 4:8 )

 

2 Cor 10:4-6 (NKJV)

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,BRINGING EVERY THOUGHT INTO CAPTIVITY TO THE OBEDIENCE OF CHRIST, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.

 

In light of God’s wonderful grace, let us prove to the world that God’s will is indeed good, acceptable and perfect. How? by allowing God to mold us and make us or even break us, so He can fashion us the way He wanted us to be, that His Name be magnified in our lives as we represent HIM before the world, that are still yet to be won for Jesus to the glory of the Father. Amen.

 

PRAISE THE LORD FOR THE TRUTH OF HIS WORD THAT SETS US FREE TO LIVE OUR LIVES FOR HIS GLORY.

In Focus With God (Hebrews 12:2-13)

by: Sis. Leonor Fernandez

In dentistry, a periapical radiograph records the entire tooth and supporting bone and is used to evaluate the extent of caries and periodontal bone loss and aids in the diagnosis and treatment of root and bony pathoses. It is a valuable diagnostic tool when the image quality is adequate for proper interpretation and this can be obtained if the tooth, the film and x-ray cone beam are properly aligned and focused. On the other hand, if it is out of focus, a blurred and hazy image quality that results in a radiograph which is non-diagnostic and is useless to the dentist.

 Likewise in photography, a   well - focused photograph has both the main subject and the background images distinct and crisp. A mis- focused one is out of focus from the main subject, but some other part of the image is tack sharp. And even if Bokeh Photography (please Google this) is now appreciated in this generation, in the old school a clear and well defined photo is the benchmark, and this can be obtained from the right lens and model focus.

 As believers, our persevering obedience of faith in Christ is the race set before us, wherein we may either win the crown of glory or have everlasting misery for our portion. Our journey is always compared to a race. We are to lay aside everything that hinders us in reaching our goal and devote ourselves to what is beneficial. In this passage the life of faith has been amply attested by witnesses from the Old Testament, hence believers ought to run with perseverance. The supreme model for this continued to be Jesus, however admirable the Old Testament figures might be. He is the author and perfecter of our faith.

 

Reasons Why We Focus On Jesus

1.      Secured in His finished work (v 2)

Heb 12:2 (NIV)

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

We all are estranged from God but because of Jesus after enduring the cross and scorning its shame, we are reconciled back to the Father. He has done it once, and for all. His joy is to do the will of the Father. He kept His eye on that joy set before Him; the joy alluded in Hebrews 1:9

“You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;   therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

He obtained an eternal throne and assumed triumphant position at the right hand of God. In our lives, let our obedience be not based on fear and blessings, or punishment and rewards but we obey because it is our joy to do it so.

2.      Inspired by His example (v 3-4)

Heb 12:3-4 (NIV)

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. ⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

There will be challenges that come our way and nothing is more natural for a person than to overestimate the severity of his trials. If we look steadfastly on Jesus and on the opposition which He confronted and endured, then we would be encouraged. He also experienced pain and suffering, up to the point of shedding blood. What then are our little trials compared to His agonies?

3.      Trust in His Father’s love (v 5-11)

Heb 12:5-11 (NIV)

And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, ⁶ because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son." ⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! ¹⁰ Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Proverbs 3:11-12 says  

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,  and do not resent his rebuke, ¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,  as a father the son he delights in.

This presents divine discipline as an evidence of divine love. Discipline is an evidence of sonship. In speaking of those who are not disciplined and are thus illegitimate children, these refer to Christians whose disloyalty to the faith resulted in their loss of inheritance. On the other hand, believers who undergo god’s discipline are being prepared for the educational process for millennial reward.

4.      Further in His given journey (v 12-13)

Heb 12:12-13 (NIV)

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. ¹³ "Make level paths for your feet," so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

The burden of affliction is apt to make the Christians hands hang down and his knees feeble, to dispirit him and discourage him but against this we must receive it because it is certain that healing, strength and growth can be reaped through it.

CONCLUSION:  John 14:1-7 (NIV)

¹ “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. ² My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? ³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. ⁴ You know the way to the place where I am going.” ⁵ Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”  ⁶ Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”