A Transformed Life

Not only your body, but your mind must be given over to God. Only when both your mind and body are completely given over to God are you fully devoted to Him, but it all begins with the mind. In the mind, we make choices as to whether we will let our new nature manifest itself outwardly in holiness, or if we will instead let our old nature manifest itself outwardly in acts of ungodliness or sin. Which is it? It all comes down to who controls your mind.

Romans 12:2 makes it clear that the dedicated life is also a transformed life. Verse 1 has called for a decisive commitment to be devoted to God ("a living sacrifice"). Verse 2 deals with the maintenance of that commitment—how we are to live (The Expositor's Bible Commentary, Vol. 10, [Zondervan Publishing House: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1978], 128).

Paul commands us, "And do not be conformed to this world" (v. 2a). "Be conformed" (v. 2a) refers to an outward expression that does not reflect what is within. It is used of masquerading, or putting on an act, specifically by following a prescribed pattern or scheme. It also carries the idea of being transitory, impermanent, and unstable. The negative ("not") makes the verb prohibitive. The verb itself is passive and imperative, the passive indicating that to conform is something we allow to be done to us, the imperative making it a command, not a suggestion (The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, [Moody Publishers: Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1994], 149).

The command is that we are "not" to allow ourselves to "be conformed to this world" (v. 2a). We are not to masquerade as a worldly person for any reason. J.B. Phillips translates this phrase: "Don't let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould." Do not pattern yourself or allow yourself to be patterned after the ways of this world. Do not become victims of this world. Stop allowing people around you, who are not believers, to fashion you after their image—an image which is anything but the image of Christ.

Paul continues: "But be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (v. 2b). "Be transformed" (v. 2b) is from the Greek verb metamorphoo and refers to a change in outward appearance. It is the term from which we get the English metamorphosis. Matthew used the word in describing Jesus' transfiguration: "He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light" (Matt. 17:2). Christ's inner divine nature and glory were, for a brief time and to a limited degree, manifested outwardly. Our inner redeemed nature is also to be manifested outwardly, as completely as possible, in our daily lives. Your new inner self must show through in how you live.

The only other appearance of this word in the New Testament is in 2 Corinthians 3:18, where Paul said, "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." Here, we are being changed into the likeness of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit within us. This gives good commentary on Romans 12:2. There, "be transformed" (v. 2b) is a passive imperative—in this case a positive command. We are commanded to allow ourselves to be changed outwardly into the image of our redeemer.

This transformation is "by the renewing of your mind" (v. 2b). The outward transformation is affected by an inner change in the mind. The Spirit transforms our minds through God's Word. In Psalm 119:11, David said, "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You." God's Word is the instrument the Holy Spirit uses to renew our minds. God's Word is the instrument the Holy Spirit uses to transform our living. "Present" yourself to God daily (v. 1), get into the Scriptures daily, and watch your life begin to be "transformed" into the very image of Christ (v. 2).

Paul concludes verse 2, "that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Our lives can "prove what the will of God is" (v. 2c, NASB) only by doing those things He approves of—things that are "good and acceptable and perfect" (v. 2c) to Him. "Acceptable" (v. 2c) comes from the Old Testament sacrificial language and refers to the kind of holy living God approves, a "living sacrifice" (v. 1a) without spot or blemish. "Perfect" (v. 2c) refers to being complete, or being everything you should be. You are to desire what God desires and to seek to do only what He wants you to do. A transformed mind produces a transformed will, eager to do what God wants you to do, no matter what the cost. This involves the strong desire to know God better and to follow His purpose for our lives.

God wants to change you completely. He wants to take the person you once were and remake you into the absolutely beautiful person He designed you to be. To have your old life transformed into the image of Christ involves a complete change of heart—an entire alteration of your state of mind. This change involves the whole person. It begins on the inside and works its way outward until all can see it. Only when you begin to live outwardly by the same faith by which you were saved, will you be transformed into the person God intended you to be. Amen.