“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. 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” (Romans 12:1–2).
One of the most challenging conversations is to have someone say what ought to be done, without any process on how the goal is obtained. A person ought to be more kind, more honest, more holy, but how is that accomplished?
In matchless grace God the Holy Spirit has provided a critical part of the answer to that question. The answer is contained in the providence of God in His mercies. The word (oiktirmos [oik-tir-mos] is in the plural to draw attention to the many mercies of God concerning this matter or presenting one’s life to Christ as a living sacrifice.
There is the mercy of Bible Doctrine. In the preceding verses, Paul has laid out the doctrinal basis for the Christian life. He has set forth the ruin of man, the redemption that is provided in Jesus, and the regeneration of the soul by the Spirit of God. Now he proceeds to close with a practical application by explaining how the application can be achieved.
There is the mercy of Divine Illumination. While Paul is the instrument, what he writes is inspired by the Holy Spirit for “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for [a]instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). Apart from the illuminating work of the Spirit, basic Bible doctrine cannot be perceived. Despite being with Jesus on a daily basis for three years, the disciples often did not understand what He was saying, and were afraid to ask Him (Mark 9:32). They needed the illuminating ministry of the Spirit. So do you, and so do I.
There is the mercy of Divine longsuffering. The prophet Isaiah spoke of a day when a child of God will say,, “O LORD, I will praise You; Though you were angry with me, Your anger is turned away, and You comfort me” (Isaiah 12:1). That day, that time is now. Oh how patient, how longsuffering God is to those who are the heirs of salvation that we might learn to trust and obey Him while being conformed to the image of His dear Son.
“Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quick’ning ray,
I woke; the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!”~Charles Wesley
There is the mercy of Divine forgiveness. As God is longsuffering, not willing that any of the elect should perish, He is also very forgiving. The heart of God’s child can take comfort in a forgiving Lord.
“No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th’eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!”~Charles Wesley
There is the Divine mercy of being able to change. The way to change is by not conforming to this world, but by being transformed by the renewing of the mind. So here are the two words for consideration: conformity and transformation.
The term “form” provides the root for each word. The reference is to structure. There is a form, there is a framework, for a Christian to use in order to be fundamentally and forever different. That framework begins with understanding the two prefixes, one presented in the negative, the other in the positive.
A Negative Teaching
Do not be conformed. Con means “with.” In context, to conform is to be with or part of the acceptable structure of the world’s system. Paul says, “Do not be conformed to the values, thinking, and practices of the world.”
A brief summary of the world’s system is reflected in the Five Pillars of Secular Humanism.
Why the Five Pillars of Secular Humanism Must be Rejected
(1) Evolution. Secular Humanism begins with the premises that man is a cosmic accident, a product of Time + Space + Chance. There is no Divine Architect of the Universe and Life, there is no God.
(2) Natural capacities. Secular Humanism argues that talents and abilities evolve naturally. There is no universal Moral Law. There is no Supreme Lawgiver.
(3) Mortality. Secular Humanism believes that life ends in death. The soul is not immortal. Man is not made in the image of God.
(4) Consciousness. Secular Humanism believes in self-awareness, freedom of the will, and personal choices. Any doctrine of Divine sovereignty or predestination is rejected.
(5) Potential. Secular Humanism insists that every individual has the ability to shape their own lives and make a difference in the world through their actions. A person is the captain of their own soul, the Master of their own fate, and will never face God in judgment.
God does not want His people to be pressed into the world’s mode, system, or structure, philosophically, morally, academically, or in its behavior. The Christian must have nothing to do with a system that frames every idea through the lens of Secular Humanism with its commitment to Atheism, Evolution, Autonomous Self-Centeredness, and Socialistic One-World View.
The mind must be transformed to think, exist, and behave in a different framework.
A Positive Teaching
Be transformed. Trans, means “beyond”, “across,” “over.” To be transformed is a calling to a higher structure than what the world, the flesh, or the devil offers. “The key to the transformed life is through the renewing of one’s mind” (R. C. Sproul).
A transformed mind is a mind that fixes its gaze upon Jesus.
“When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.”~Isaac Watts
A transformed mind is a mind that is saturated with Bible doctrine.
The transformed mind prays, “Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law” (Psalm 119:18).
A transformed mind is a mind that shutters at the thought of sin and displeasing the Father.
When he thought on the evil in his own life, Job said, “Wherefore I abhor myself, And repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6).
A transformed mind is a mind that pursues God and His righteousness.
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God” (Psalm 42:1).
A transformed mind is a mind that is always transforming.
The Reformation slogan “always reforming” emphasizes the need for continual renewal of faith and practice. “Always transforming” reflects this same sentiment and is accomplished in three ways.
By Guarding the Heart.
“Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23).
By Thinking Good Thoughts.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Phil. 4:8).
By Making no Provision for the Flesh.
“The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore, let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Romans 13:12–14).
There is much to do as a Christian because Christ has done the great work of being our salvation. Now, let us work out our salvation with fear and trembling by refusing to be pressed into the mode of the world and conforming to its values, thoughts, and behavior. Rather, let us be transformed in our mind where the Spirit of the Living God dwells and will met us there. My heart; His home.
The Collected Works of Stanford E. Murrell 