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The Epistle To The Romans
The Epistle To The Romans
Be Transformed (12:1-2)
INTRODUCTION
1. In Ro 12:1-2, Paul makes the following plea regarding transforming
our lives:
"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."
2. As
a.
b.
c.
d.
world - Ro 12:1
a. The word conformed (suschematizo, soos-khay-mat-id'-zo) as
used here implies that which is "transitory, changeable,
unstable" (Vine's)
b. I.e., at the most we can only be an imitation, a cheap copy
2. If not transformed, we will either be conformed to...
a. The world
1) Act like the world, be like those in the world
2) In which we will bring shame to the name of Christ
b. Other Christians
1) Outwardly we may act like Christians, appear like them
2) But it will be just a cheap "copy", which eventually
reveals its true nature!
-- Is that what we want? To bring shame to the name of Christ?
To be "plastic" Christians, or to be the real thing?
[Why not let the mercies of God and the love of Christ motivate us to
seek transformation? The process is not as difficult as one might
think...]
IV. THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION
A. IN THE BEGINNING...
1. Remember, transformation is a passive process ("be
transformed") - Ro 12:2
a. We cannot change ourselves by our own strength or
meritorious works
b. As Paul vividly illustrated his dilemma prior to his
conversion - Ro 7:14-24
-- We must submit to God's working on us!
2. It begins when we are baptized into Christ!
a. For there we experience the working of God - Col 2:11-13
1) Spiritually circumcised as our sins are removed
2) Buried then raised with Christ
3) Made alive with Christ, forgiven of all trespasses
b. For there we experience the renewal of the Spirit - Tit 3:5
1) Saved by the mercy of God
2) Involving a washing of regeneration and renewal of the
Holy Spirit
c. For there we rise to walk in newness of life - Ro 6:3-8
1) Having been buried with Christ by baptism into His death
2) Having been crucified with Christ that we might be free
from sin
3) Having been raised to live with Christ
-- When joined with faith and repentance, baptism becomes the
starting point in which true transformation can take place!
- cf. Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38
B. RENEWING THE MIND...
1. The process of transformation continues as we renew the mind
a. As indicated in our text - Ro 12:2; cf. also Ep 4:20-24
2.
3.
4.
5.
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