Examining Romans 12:1-2, "Spiritual Formation" Part 3

Spiritual formation begins on the inside and ultimately involves the whole person! In our text, apostle Paul mentions the body and mind in his exhortation. In verse one, he mentions the body as the sacrifice which Christ followers offer and in verse two, he mentions the mind as the aspect of the human personality which is to be renewed. The logic of Paul's teaching is that the transformation begins inside the person and then affects the actions of the body. We're commanded to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind." The word "transformed" gives us our English word "metamorphosis." It describes the transformation that a caterpillar undergoes to become a butterfly. Do we understand that the caterpillar and the butterfly are the same creature? In other words, what happens when the caterpillar enters the cocoon and later emerges is that the part of the insect that resides on the inside is allowed to be manifested on the outside! That is the change God desires to effect in every Christ follower! We must understand and embrace, that God moved into our hearts when He saved us. He transformed our spirit and changed us into His children. Apostle John puts it this way, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even those who believe in His name, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13). Now, the Lord God wants to transform the mind so that the body is affected! What we must remember is that the body will do what the mind tells it to do. For this reason, it's only when the mind is changed by the Word of God, brought under the power of God, that the body can be brought under subjection. Paul told the Christ followers at Corinth, "I discipline my body and make it my slave.." (1 Cor. 9:27). How was he able to do this? He did it by surrendering his mind to the will of God! He did it by filling his mind with the Word of God! In Romans 12:1-2, Paul is addressing the values Christ followers hold. In order to follow Paul's exhortation something must happen internally. The Christ follower should value the grace of God as highly as Paul has. The Christ follower should desire to worship God as completely as Paul describes. This change of values then brings about a change in behavior! The renewal of the mind serves as the basis for the proper understanding of the will of God which is then determined by the Christ follower and lived out through action! Your move. Be encouraged!