Renewing Your Mind

Romans 12:1-8

This is another of my favorite passages (if one can have a favorite). Becoming a living sacrifice so I can know God's will for me. To know His plan for my life. What a start.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)

How is being a living sacrifice an act of worship?

To have life in the first place means I have been given life. Life comes from a relationship established through Christ. As a sacrifice, my life is God's. He purchased it with the blood of Christ, and I accepted the payment for the life offered through it. I still have free will but I freely allow it to be directed by God for His purposes. My life is not my own - gladly (I messed it up royally when I was in control, so letting God have His say in my life is a no-brainer).

My body should should be used in a manner that honors and respects the work done in me by Christ. Thus, I am to engage in activities that are holy and pleasing to God. His mercy frees me to act in ways (willingly) for His glory.

• To be holy is to act in the right ways while doing the right things (simplified definition). To understand the difference between what is right before God, I have to to study the Word of God (like I am doing with this Bible study). This is a constant life long act, and one that I cannot repay.
  
• To be pleasing is to act in a manner, place and time, approved of God.

He has given me life so I can shake off my own sinful will. Through Him I am empowered to act in the right ways, to operate in a just manner, and to remember who I represent while doing it. This is worship - an active engagement with God on a daily basis so as to hold up my end of His covenant with me.

The patterns of the world, afflicted by the torment of sin, destroy life, hope, love, and peace. The worldly patterns suck life into a dark vacuum that can only be penetrated by the light offered by Christ. Such a life is void and meaningless. Christ transforms such life and gives meaning to hope through peace with God. His love transforms and renews the mind. When I choose Christ, His will becomes my will; His love becomes my love; His hope is my hope. Transformation changes the way I view and respond to God, others, and myself. His way of thinking lifts me up and restores me to His purpose.

When this transformation takes place, I can know God's good and perfect will. Transformation draws me close to God so I can see and know Him from a personal perspective. I can engage God the Father in understanding.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Romans 12:3 (NIV)

At the same time, I must realize that I am not unique. God offers this to all people. Knowing my role and task, I am gifted to work in and with the body of Christ to announce and proclaim the good news. My gifting is not better anyone else. All gifting is necessary for the church to be healthy. We should never hold back nor hinder others from acting in God's will, especially by thinking that our gift trumps the others.

• How can you better spend time with God?
• If you are a Christian, how has your life changed? How is it still changing?
• How do you keep your "sober judgment" attitude in check?
  
• Have you ever thought about what gifts God has given you to serve the church? Take time reading Romans 12:6-8 and pray about how God is using you or how He can use you.