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Have you ever wondered if you were living to your full potential? Perhaps you have asked the question, “How do I become the person that God has called me to be?” The answer is surprisingly simple; we must be transformed. Transformation is a change in form, appearance or character. It is the ongoing process that we must all undergo in order for us to become who we were created to be.

This devotion is written in the simple style of the S.O.A.P. method, which stands for Scripture, Observation, Application and Prayer. (The observations made are not exhaustive, so feel free to make your own.)

Scripture: Romans 12:2

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. (ESV)

Observations:

  • After going to great lengths to make his point in previous chapters, Paul opens chapter 12 with an urgent plea of “therefore…” which means, “if these things be so.” One of the main theme’s, or one thing that is true that he is referring to is, God’s will for us is to live a new life in Christ; one transformed, not by our own efforts, but by receiving the finished work of righteousness in Jesus.

  • Do not be conformed to this world

    • Notice the words do not… This suggest there is a choice. One of the greatest privileges given to us by God is the power to choose. May God grant us the grace and wisdom to be deliberate in our decisions.

    • Conformed means to pattern or fashion one’s self according to something. Note, we fashion ourselves to what we see, hear or think; this is what makes up the “culture.” This is very visible if we consider the major influencers of the culture; movie stars, musical artist and media. Oftentimes they determine what’s considered fashionable. Within a culture there are always trendsetters and trend followers.

    • Note, the instruction (not a suggestion), is given “do not be conformed,” indicating there is an option to choose between conformity or conversion. Many times we are tempted to feel powerless to resist the allure of the world. This does not have to be so; we have a choice. Because the moral standards of those in leadership is steadily declining, distinguishing between the two is becoming less obvious. Conformity of the influential causes confusion for the influenced.

    • To this world indicates a system of thinking and operating within a particular time period. Every time period has a prevailing perspective or majority view, that is accepted and adopted as the standard of truth. An example of this would be the widespread acceptance of slavery in America, despite it being an obviously heinous practice.

    • The problem with the world system is that it is trendy, shifty and unstable. Most importantly, a worldly position puts us in opposition with God. (James 4:4)

    • Interesting how there can be movement without progress; activity without productivity. Just like there can be learning, but never arrive at the knowledge of the truth. (2 Tim. 3:7)

  • But be transformed by

    • There is a choice; to be conformed to the world, or to be transformed by God

    • The word transformed means to change from one form to another. This is a beautiful picture that suggest we no longer fashion ourselves after what is fashionable to feeble men but after the faithfulness of our heavenly Father, in Who’s image we were created. (Genesis 1:26)

  • The renewal of your mind

    • Renewal of the mind is the key ingredient for transformation.

    • Renewal means to reconstruct, renovate and change for the better. This suggest that there is a new, profoundly greater way of thinking that we have access to as a result of the finished work of Jesus and being adopted as children of God.

    • The mind is the seedbed of thought, reasoning and sober governance of life. However our mind would be a mess without having the mind of Christ. We need the word of God to help us get rid of the old ways of thinking.

    • Where the mind goes, the life follows. It is impossible to move forward within and stand still without. As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. (Proverbs 23:7)

  • that by testing you may discern what is the will of God

    • Notice, after the mind is renewed, we now possess the capacity to pursue God’s will. It is impossible to discern God’s will without a renewed mind. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person...” (1 Corinthians 2:11)

    • Testing refers to an examination that reveals authenticity and approval. The mentality of the culture produces counterfeit confidence and bogus beliefs about life. God’s will and our pursuits do not always align. We are left wanting when we seek our own will. He who follows worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty. (Proverbs 28:19)

    • God’s will is revealed by trying the spirit by the spirit to see if it is of God. (1 John 4:1)

  • what is good and acceptable and perfect

    • Paul states God’s will is:

      • Good

      • Acceptable

      • Perfect

    • Our will appears good while it is bad. God’s will appears bad while it is good.

Application:

  1. Children of God choose daily to walk in the newness of life instead of by their old way of thinking.

  2. Children of God can resist the allure of the culture by renewing their mind.

  3. Children of God renew their mind by rejecting worldly wisdom and renovating their beliefs using the Father’s Word as the standard of truth.

  4. The Father’s will does not always appear good, acceptable and perfect, but His children seek His will and trust His word.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I ask for forgiveness for living life on my own terms, according to what makes sense to me. I see now how dangerous that is, and realize how much trouble that has gotten me into. Thank You for rescuing me from the ways of the world, and helping me desire Your will to be done in my life. I ask for Your help to renew my thinking and beliefs according to the standard of Your word and not my wisdom. I know that at times I do not fully understand Your will and how it all works. But I am confident that Your plans are good and I trust that You know what’s best for me. In Jesus name I give thanks, amen.