Be Transformed

Thesis: To encourage the hearers to be transformed by the gospel of Christ unto a living sacrifice, one set apart totally, to do the will of the one true God, so that His will may be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Text: Rom 12:1-2

Rom 12:1 I beseech (urge) you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable (pleasing) to God, which is your spiritual (reasonable) service.

Rom 12:2 And be not fashioned (conformed) according to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (ASV)

Introduction,

1. When one looks around and contemplates the things that go on in this current age, especially in western civilization, you can but marvel at all that has come to past in the last 100 years or so, technology has made our lives less burdensome, and enabled us to fit more “things” within the time span of our busy days.

2. Medical science is to a point that things which weren’t even remotely possible 10 years ago, are common place today, thus people are living healthier and longer lives because of these advancements.

3. Yet with all the minds of all the specialists combined together, they have not, as of yet, been able to do what God is able to accomplish by merely speaking, “to bring something into existence” (Heb 11:3), in fact these so called experts are helpless without the physical substances that God created “in the beginning” which includes even their own selves, for it is written, “every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God” (Heb 3:4).

4. One area in which modern man, nor man of any age on his own, has not been able to make considerable advancement, is in the realm of morality; most societies tend to go from bad to worse, changing the laws to condone the majority standard, and usually selecting a group to single out to take the brunt of the blame for what they believe to be the so called “evils of the world.” Today the propagandists have targeted the traditional white Christian and his God formed beliefs and practices.

5. There was a similar situation in the 1st century, the Roman Empire easily controlled the civilized world at that time, and when trouble erupted in that society, fingers had to be pointed, and the problem eradicated.

6. One case in point was Nero’s despicable plot to renovate Rome, in which he was actually responsible for the burning of the city, and put the blame on Christians, who in turn were slaughtered like sheep.

7. But today we often see a different type of Christian, one that conforms themselves to the times, if no fault divorce is rampant, then God’s commands of one husband and one wife for life, must be incorrect (Mt 19:6; Mk 10:9; Rom 7:2; 1 Cor 7:10-11, 39), we need to study this matter out until we come to the conclusion of which we seek.

8. And if the acceptance of sodomy, lesbianism and bisexuality in modern society is becoming more commonplace, then surely God meant something else when He stated that such as these “shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor 6:9-10), for in these days individuals that maintain these types of abominable practices are actually being put into leadership roles in certain religions of men and other places of high esteem.

9. And surely God’s command “you shall not murder” (Rom 13:9) does not apply to the unborn children within a mother’s womb who are being mutilated, dissected, and sold to the highest bidder because of the god of selfishness and money-loving, surely this is approved by the one true God Who is love (1 Jn 4:8).

10. But we can thank God that Jesus is head over all things to His church (Eph 1:22), and that rule is exercised through the NT, that one Faith (Eph 4:5), which Jude stated by the inspiration of God was “once for all (time) delivered unto the saints” in the 1st century (Jude 3).

11. And the person with the least bit of common sense and a Bible in hand ought to be able figure out that God teaches that things such as murder, adultery, sodomy and lesbianism are sin, and if not turned from and forgiven of by God, these individuals will die in said sins. We must believe and obey God, not man (Rom 3:4), for it is according to the unchanging words of the unchangeable God (Ps 119:89) that we will be judged on that Last Day (John 12:48; Rom 2:16; Rev 20:12), not the latest, changing, religious creeds of men.

12. That brings us to the text that we will be looking into today, we as imitators of Christ, are not to have a moral standard that changes with the times, but rather we are to stand out like a sore thumb, like salt and light (Mt 5:13-16), in a sin sick and dying world, that through our words, and our lives, as we live/walk in that narrow, difficult way, the only way that leads to life, we might curry the interest of others, and have the chance to tell them about the Way, the Faith, the gospel of Jesus Christ.

13. And the only way this is going to be possible is if we “change” from following the ways of the world, and lay down our lives unto Him Who enabled us to be the reasoning, self-willed, creatures we are today, and allow Him to mold us after His likeness, in order that we may be fitted for heaven when our days on earth are done.

14. Thus in this lesson we will break down our passage into 3 sections, and look at . . .

1) The Christian’s “Presentation” (Rom 12:1)

2) The Christian’s “Transformation” (Rom 12:2a-b), and lastly . . .

3) The Christians “Demonstration” (Rom 12:2c)

I. THE CHRISTIAN’S “PRESENTATION” (Rom 12:1)

A. (v 12:1a)

Rom 12:1a I beseech (urge) you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God . . .

In chapters 9-11 of the letter to the Roman Christians the inspired Paul dealt with some matters concerning Israel’s unbelief and their being cast off by God, in contrast to the Gentiles demonstration of faith and thereby being accepted by God and becoming recipients of His mercy and grace which is extended through the means of the gospel of Christ.

1. With this as the context the apostle then “beseeches” the saints at Rome in view of God’s mercy; to “beseech” means basically “to beg,” some versions render this word “urge” or “appeal.”

a. So why does an apostle of Christ “beg” “urge” or “appeal” to these Christians instead of commanding them, as we see in other cases such as (1 Cor 14:37; 2 Thess 3:6)?

1Co 14:37 If anyone thinks that he is a prophet, or spiritual, he should acknowledge that the things I am writing to you are a command of the Lord.

2Th 3:6 Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

b. Because in reality, in Christianity we are not “forced” to do anything, rather we “choose” to do the things that Christians do, we serve God because we “want to”.

c. And why do we “want to” when we previously “did not want to?”

d. It is because when we believed in the gospel we received the Spirit of God (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13) and through the Spirit the love of God is poured into our hearts (Rom 5:5), it is in the gospel message, the sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), that we learn of the Creator laying down His life willingly, for lowly, undeserving creatures like you and I, this is to be that major motivating factor which draws us closer to God, by those facts working upon our Spirit changed hearts, the Lord said (John 12:32-33) . . .

Joh 12:32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself."

Joh 12:33 He said this to show by what kind of death he was going to die. (i.e. crucifixion)

e. And (Jn 15:3) . . .

Joh 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

f. It is also written (1 John 4:19) . . .

1Jn 4:19 We love because he first loved us.

g. And as we are drawn by that selfless love, the things that we do because of it are an outward demonstration (a biblical demonstration) of our inward love for Christ, as He also stated (John 14:15).

Joh 14:15 "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

h. As was also reaffirmed by the apostle John (2 John 1:6) . . .

2Jn 1:6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

i. In view of this we see this “begging” this “urging” this “appealing,” just think if we were forced to obey, as prisoners, we would not love, but rebel, the first chance we get, we would be attempting to escape from our jailor, but Christianity is to be just the opposite of this frame of mind, we are willing servants (Rom 10:3), who are to be “looking” for ways to please our Master, not merely attempting to “just get by,” giving “eye service.”

B. (v 12:1b)

Rom 12:1b to present your bodies a living sacrifice,

Under the Law of Moses the Jews brought living animals for their bloody sacrifices, under the gospel of Christ we are to offer “our” bodies, not the bodies of other creatures unto God, that part of us that is perishable (Eccl 12:7).

1. The reason we do this is first of all we understand that we are basically two-fold creatures, body and spirit (Ja 2:26), and if we do end up being faithful to the point of death (Rev 2:10), we will continue (Eccl 12:7) eternally (Rev 22:5), and receive the crown of life (Ja 1:12), which the Lord promised to those that love Him (Ja 2:5).

a. Secondly, we also believe that our perishable bodies will be raised, as Jesus’ was raised (1 Cor 15:23), and changed (1 Cor 15:51), incorruptible (1 Cor 15:42), never to die again (Rev 1:18; turn to Rom 6:1-11) . . .

Rom 6:1 What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

Rom 6:2 By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?

Rom 6:3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

Rom 6:4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Rom 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Rom 6:6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing (done away), so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.

Rom 6:7 For one who has died has been set free from sin.

Rom 6:8 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him.

Rom 6:9 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him.

Rom 6:10 For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God.

Rom 6:11 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.

2. This means we are to turn our backs to the things that are opposed to the will of God; the Christian’s attitude should be “speak Lord, Thy servant heareth” (1 Sam 3:9-10) and this attitude should prompt us to give our entire self as a sacrifice of service in the Master’s vineyard, to the best of our God given ability, whether we be a 1, 2, or a 5 talent person.

C. (v 12:1c)

Rom 12:1c holy, acceptable (pleasing) to God,

The word “holy” here is “hagios” it is the same word that is translated “saints” or “sanctified” in the scriptures, and it simply means “set apart” or “exclusively.”

1. All Christians are called by the gospel to be “saints,” (1 Cor 1:2)

1Co 1:2 To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified (set apart) in Christ Jesus, called to be saints (set apart ones) together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:

a. “Saints” are not a separate special class of people which is determined by a counsel of men to be different, or more special, than other Christians, all Christians are holy “positionally” (in Christ) and called to be holy “practically” (in practice), as it is written (1 Pet 1:15-16) . . .

1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.

1Pe 1:16 Scripture says, "Be holy, because I am holy." (GW)

b. For those that are not “holy” will not see the Lord (Heb 12:14),

Heb 12:14 Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.

c. And how do we become “holy”?

d. By “believing” with our hearts, our inner persons, and “doing” with our bodies, our outer persons being led, being motivated by God’s “Holy” Spirit given love within us, to “do” the will of God, in other words our inner persons will direct our outer persons from practicing boastfulness, immodesty, sexual immorality, and so forth, to humbleness, modesty, chaste behaviors.

e. This is referred to as the “obedience of faith” (Rom 1:5; 16:26), or we could say the “obedience that comes from faith”, “faith working through love” (Gal 5:6). Jesus teaches us how essential this trait is when He states (Mt 7:21) . . .

Mat 7:21 "Not everyone who keeps saying to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will get into the kingdom from heaven, but only the person who keeps doing the will of my Father in heaven. (ISV)

2. And this is “acceptable,” this is “pleasing” unto God, if we choose to be “doers” of the word and not hearers only fooling our own selves (Ja 1:22) . . .

Jas 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

a. For what we practice, shows whose child we are, either it be God’s or Satan’s (1 Jn 3:4-10).

D. (v 12:1d)

Rom 12:1d which is your spiritual (reasonable) service (worship).

And the person that doesn’t resist the Holy Spirit (Acts 7:51), thereby grieving the Spirit (Eph 4:30), but rather chooses to let God’s Spirit lead him as a child of God (Rom 8:14), and “does it,” this person is performing, fulfilling his “spiritual service,” his “spiritual duty” his “spiritual worship” unto God.

1. This word that is translated “spiritual” (ASV), “reasonable” (KJV), and “intelligent” (YLT), is translated from the Greek word “logikos” from which we derive our word “logical” and it refers to one’s “reasoning capabilities,” specifically where those reasoning capabilities flow from, which is the mind, the biblical heart, one’s spirit” (Rom 2:29), our inner person.

a. And this mental assent is that which directs one’s body (outer self) to conform to God’s will, and this is basically “service” or “worship” based upon a biblically active faith.

b. When one hears God’s word, the seed of the kingdom and believes it, they enter into the process of being saved (Jn 5:24) . . .

Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

c. When they believe it they also receive the promised Holy Spirit (Gal 3:2; Eph 1:13) . . .

Gal 3:2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith?

Eph 1:13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

e. Who pours the love of God into the inner person (Rom 5:5).

Rom 5:5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

f. And then they love, they act, they obey, it is because of God (through the Spirit) working in them (Phili 2:12-13)

Php 2:12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,

Php 2:13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

f. Again, what this adds up to is “faith working through love” (Gal 5:6). In this “manner,” through and by these “motivations” is the Christian’s “presentation” of one’s self unto God as a holy, living sacrifice.

II. THE CHRISTIAN’S “TRANSFORMATION” (Rom 12:2a-b)

A. (v 12:2a)

Rom 12:2a And be not (conformed) fashioned according to this world:

Here is the main problem that we run into today, and in Paul’s day, and will be a problem until That Day in which the Lord comes with His mighty angels in flaming fire (2 Thess 1:7-9); people that desire to be Christians, also desire to be like everyone else in the world, yet this is just not possible (turn to 2 Cor 6:14-7:1) . . .

2Co 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

2Co 6:15 What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever?

2Co 6:16 What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

2Co 6:17 Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,

2Co 6:18 and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty."

2Co 7:1 Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

1. We learn here that our motivation unto obedience is not only to be love (Jn 14:15), but also by the reverential fear of God (which does include an aspect of love; i.e. “respect”).

a. Christians must be “in” the world, to shine the light of the gospel of Christ unto others, but not be “of” the world, imitating Satan by following the various passions and lusts, but rather by living holy lives unto God by living according to His will, His revealed standards, and by speaking God’s truth in love, in this manner we are the salt of the earth, we in fact preserve the earth by making converts to the Way, the Faith, for this is the reason that God actually allows this world to exist, despite what many mockers of God openly deny, as Peter wrote by inspiration (2 Pet 3:3-4) . . .

2Pe 3:3 knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires (lusts).

2Pe 3:4 They will say, "Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation."

c. These people forget, deny, and laugh, at the flood of old, in the days of Noah in which God destroyed the entirety of mankind except for 8 people because of sin (1 Pet 3:21), and He has appointed a day likened unto that (Acts 17:31), except the cleansing element won’t be water, but rather fire, there will be water judgments, earthquake judgments, plague judgments, pestilence judgments, asteroid judgments, but the fire judgment will end this realm.

b. And when that day comes, it will be like no other (2 Pet 3:10) . . .

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be (burned up) exposed.

2. But many today who claim to be followers of Christ, are not only closed mouth when it comes to the things of God, they actually emulate, yearn after, mold themselves after the things of the world, they are fashioned according, conformed to the likeness of individuals who are without God and without hope in this world (Eph 2:12), and by doing this they are in fact making themselves enemies of Him Who they confess to follow, James wrote (Ja 4:4) . . .

Jas 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

a. The Lord Himself stated (Mt 12:30) . . .

Mat 12:30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

b. The “me me’s” and the “I I’s” just won’t cut it, nor will pleasure, fame and fortune, we cannot love these sort of things, and love God at the same time, (1 John 2:15-17) . . .

1Jn 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1Jn 2:16 For all that is in the world—the desires (lust) of the flesh and the desires (lust) of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

1Jn 2:17 And the world is passing away along with its desires (lusts), but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

c. Our focus is to be God first and others second, and then have faith in God concerning ourselves as we walk in the light of God’s word to the best of our God given abilities, the Lord stated (Mt 6:33) . . .

Mat 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things (that are needed) will be added to you.

d. Yet in every media form possible, the TV, the Radio, the Internet, the various devices we amuse ourselves with, we are taught that we must be first, this is nothing more than Satan working through these devices, self-centeredness, pride and luxury reigned in Paul’s time, and it reigns in ours, this was even a problem within the apostles of Christ, to which the Lord said (Mk 9:35; Mt 23:11-12) . . .

Mar 9:35 . . ."If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all."

Mat 23:11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.

Mat 23:12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

e. This is one of the many paradoxes contained within the Faith, the Way, Christianity; humility, lowliness, poorness of spirit is paramount, if we humble ourselves in the sight of the Lord, He will lift us up (Ja 4:10), to the side of Christ, Who came as a servant and a sacrifice, our perfect example, that which we are commanded to imitate, of our own Holy Spirit infused free will (1 Cor 11:1).

f. And as we imitate Christ, not being conformed to this world, we can expect to be treated as Christ was treated, he said (John 15:19-20a) . . .

Joh 15:19 If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.

Joh 15:20a Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you.

g. This is affirmed by the apostle Paul (2 Tim 3:12) . . .

2Ti 3:12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

h. Why? The same reason that Cain killed Able (1 John 3:12), the righteous acts of the faithful Christian often draws the reproach of the worldly, because in their hearts, they know that many of the things which they do are not pleasing unto God, and when they see someone that actually lives that type of life, they often strike out verbally, or even physically, because that contrast between the godly and the ungodly is made more apparent, and exposes the darkness which they are actually in, the true state of their spiritual standing before God.

i. The Lord Jesus puts it this way (Jn 7:7) . . .

Joh 7:7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify about it that its works are evil.

j. And it will hate us also.

B. (v 12:2b)

Rom 12:2b but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,

Instead of being “fashioned” according to, “conformed” to the likeness of those of the world, who are without God and without hope, looking like them, yearning after worldly things like them, rather we must be “transformed” by the “renewing” of our minds.

1. This word “transformed” is the Gr. word “metamorphoo” and it is where we get our word “metamorphosis” and it means “to change into another form” this is the same word used of Christ on the mount of transfiguration in Mt 17:2, where Christ was illuminated with heavenly glory, and also 2 Cor 3:18 where is speaks of Christians being transformed into the glorious image of the Lord.

a. Thus when we are “being transformed” (present tense verb) we in fact are becoming likened unto Christ in His heavenly glory, as we are imitating Christ, we are reflecting (beholding) that True Light, as depicted in 2 Cor 3:18 . . .

2Co 3:18 As all of us reflect the glory of the Lord with unveiled faces, we are becoming more like him with ever-increasing glory by the Lord's Spirit. (ISV)

b. It is also interesting that the words “be not” concerning being (conformed) fashioned according to the world, and the “be ye” concerning this transformation are both in the “imperative” mood in the Gr. language, thus it is “imperative” “vitally important” that these things take place in our lives as Christians (which literally means “Christ owned by” Tit 2:14).

2. So just how does this “metamorphosis” take place? It states here “by the renewing of your mind,” well how exactly does that take place?

a. This is what the Bible refers to as the “renewal of the Holy Spirit” and it is one of the important elements that makes salvation possible (turn to Tit 3:5) . . .

Tit 3:5 not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,

b. This “washing of regeneration” speaks of the believers baptism into Christ (immersion for the remission of sins; Acts 2:38; 22:16), and the “renewing of the Holy Spirit” is that which takes place by a person’s Spirit led, faith prompted obedience from the heart to the Holy Spirit delivered and prompted doctrine of Christ (Rom 6:17-18), the one that minds, that follows, that abides in the things, the teachings revealed by the Spirit, being led by the Spirit are Christ’s (look at Rom 8:5-9) . . .

Rom 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.

Rom 8:6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.

Rom 8:7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

Rom 8:8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Rom 8:9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

c. The teachings in the 1st century came through miraculously inspired men, who through the power of the Holy Spirit, flawlessly delivered God’s saving message, they wrote it down, and is the New Covenant, that which we call the NT, and it provides all the instruction that pertains to life and godliness (2 Pet 1:3), it gives us everything we need to be complete in the eyes of God (2 Tim 3:17).

d. And thus when we read and believe the NT, the living and active word of God (Heb 4:12), that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), and obey it, from the heart, it directs us towards what we should, and what we shouldn’t do (turn to Col 3:5-10) . . .

Col 3:5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

Col 3:6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming.

Col 3:7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them.

Col 3:8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth.

Col 3:9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices

Col 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

e. Now turn to (Eph 4:17-24) . . .

Eph 4:17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.

Eph 4:18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart.

Eph 4:19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity.

Eph 4:20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!—

Eph 4:21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus,

Eph 4:22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires (lusts),

Eph 4:23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

f. We need to keep in mind that that this will not happen overnight, it took some time to be conformed, fashioned like the world, and it will take some time to be changed into a new creature (2 Cor 5:17), that new person who is basically being recreated in righteousness and holiness through the gospel (2 Cor 4:16).

2Co 4:16 So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.

g. And there will be a struggle that will ensue (Eph 6:10-13).

Eph 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might.

Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

Eph 6:12 For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Eph 6:13 Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand.

h. We need to understand and identify the true enemy, it is Satan, who works through various evil spirits upon this earth, sin, lusts, deceit, within ourselves and others.

i. Even the apostle Paul was in a battle within himself, he wrote (1 Cor 9:23-27) . . .

1Co 9:23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

1Co 9:24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it.

1Co 9:25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

1Co 9:26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air.

1Co 9:27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

j. Thus we can also expect that battle within ourselves, yet the Spirit directs us through His sword, the word of the living God, in order that there is no mistake what we are to do in order to be victorious and overcome.

k. The NT tells us what to “add” to our lives (2 Pet 1:5-7) . . .

2Pe 1:5 For this very reason do your best to add goodness to your faith; to your goodness add knowledge;

2Pe 1:6 to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness;

2Pe 1:7 to your godliness add Christian affection (brotherly love); and to your Christian affection add love. (GNB)

l. And it even tells us “what” we “are” to think upon (Phili 4:8) . . .

Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

m. And what we “are not” to think upon (Col 3:2) . . .

Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.

n. And it tells us “why” (Mt 6:21) . . .

Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

o. And as we do this from the heart, through God’s Spirit working in us, a change begins to take place, slowly but surely, just like any other type of teaching when followed trains you, except this teaching is different, this teaching originates from heaven, not men, it is the living word (Heb 4:12), from the living God, life comes from life, the Lord declares (John 6:63) . . .

Joh 6:63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

p. And it results in eternal life, while the ways concocted by men only end in eternal separation from a most holy God (Pro 14:12; Jer 10:23) . . .

Pro 14:12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.

Jer 10:23 I know, O LORD, that the way of man is not in himself, that it is not in man who walks to direct his steps.

q. Why do many Christians fail to see that bringing in worldly ways to worship God is detrimental to spiritual growth? Why do otherwise very sincere and devout individuals fail to see the sinfulness of gambling, or immodest apparel? Because they do not look at these subjects through God’s eyes, with a renewed mind, hating what God hates, and loving what God loves (Heb 1:9), again, this is the goal of this metamorphosis (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10) . . .

Eph 4:24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Col 3:10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.

r. Thus the Christian’s “Transformation” into “the new self” “the new creature” (2 Cor 5:17) is one that results in a person being prepared for the new heavens and new earth, one prepared, suited for heaven; remember heaven is a prepared place, for a prepared people, Jesus stated (John 14:2-6) . . .

Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many rooms (mansions; Gr. abiding-places). If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

Joh 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.

Joh 14:4 And you know the way to where I am going."

Joh 14:5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?"

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

s. The person who believes in Christ, and whose faith leads them to imitate Christ in this life, His ways, the Way, according to the Truth (John 17:17), which leads to eternal life, (enabled by this God given “transformation” Phili 2:13), is the one who will be likened to and with God in the next (Phili 3:20-21).

Php 3:20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Php 3:21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

III. THE CHRISTIAN’S “DEMONSTRATION” (Rom 12:2c)

A. (v 12:2c)

Rom 12:2c and ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Rom 12:2c that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The Lord stated this concerning false prophets and their disciples in (Mt 12:33) . . .

Mat 12:33 "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.

1. What verse this teaches us is what we “do”, what we “produce”, proves, tests, shows forth, demonstrates whose child we are (1 Jn 3:4-10), and if one is a faithful Christian, it should be known by others by merely observing the person under consideration.

a. When we follow the Holy Spirit delivered and confirmed doctrine of Christ prompted by the Spirit leading us, we will shine as lights in a sin darkened world, many times as stop lights, but none the less lights all the same (this can be easily seen in the Christian who adheres to the speed limits given in the laws of the land, which they “do” according to the commands of God (Rom 13; 1 Pet 2), while the people adhering to the ways of the world constantly want to go 5-7 miles over the limit, practicing lawlessness as much as possible without being punished for it, line up like a train behind them).

b. Or when we hold forth the word of truth (Phili 2:15-16) in the face of religious error (as did Jesus and His followers), stating that the system of faith, the Faith, the Way, Christianity, was once and for all time delivered in the 1st century (Jude 3), and that any practice or so called ordinance of God invented since that time are merely the precepts of men that may result in vain worship to God (Mt 15:9), again we are being “stop lights” in the eyes of many.

c. For ecumenicism (I’m OK, your OK, religiously speaking) is taught against in the Bible, no one comes to God except through Jesus (Jn 14:6), He is the one Mediator between God and people (1 Tim 2:5), we are commanded to “contend” earnestly for the Faith (Jude 3), the soul saving gospel of Christ, not with our fists, not with guns, not with a literal sword decapitating refusing converts, but with the sword of the Spirit, the word of God (Eph 6:17), without which, individuals cannot be saved, for there is no other Gospel (Gal 1:6-9), there is only one Faith (Eph 4:5) with its facts to believe, commands to obey, promises to receive, and warnings to heed.

d. And while we strive to enter in by that narrow door (Luke 13:24) living pure, holy lives unto God before others, contending in love, we are “proving,” “testing” outwardly and thereby “demonstrating” what is the good and acceptable will of God, which is . . . “that individuals follow Christ, and no one else,” (I am the way; John 14:6) and every once in a while, we will stumble upon someone who is seeking for, and will recognize God’s truth through our lives.

e. And then we can teach them the gospel, which will result in the life eternal, for it is God’s will that all people be saved, and come to the knowledge of the one Truth (1 Tim 2:4), which makes one free (John 8:32).

f. And it all starts with that living and powerful, forever settled in heaven, word of God, . . .

One is to . . .

Hear (or read) the word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17), specifically the New Testament . . .

Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

This is how the Father plants the seed of the kingdom (Lk 8:11), His word, within the good ground, the good, honest and open heart (Luke 8:15)

One is to . . .

Believe in the gospel of Christ (1 Cor 15:1-4; 22-23; Acts 1:9-11 Thess 4:16-17). . .

1Co 15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand,

1Co 15:2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

1Co 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,

1Co 15:4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.

1Co 15:23 But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Act 1:9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he (Jesus) was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.

Act 1:10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes,

Act 1:11 and said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven."

1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first;

1Th 4:17 then we that are alive, that are left, shall together with them be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

Belief (faith) in God’s word (specifically the gospel message) is the crossover point wherein one enters into the process of “being saved” (Lk 13:23; Acts 2:47; 1 Cor 1:18; 15:2; 2 Cor 2:15; Jn 5:24). . .

Joh 5:24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Christ is the firstfruits of the resurrection unto eternal life, we are to believe that we will follow (1 Cor 15:20-23)

One is to . . .

Repent of sins, (Luke 13:3, 5) Jesus stated . . .

Luk 13:3 . . . unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.

Paul preached (Acts 17:30-31) . . .

Act 17:30 The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,

Act 17:31 because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead."

Repentance is a change of mind that results in a changed life, a life like unto Christ’s (Jn 14:6; 1 Cor 11:1)

One is to . . .

Confess Jesus as the Christ before people (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9-10), the eunuch said . . .

“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” so should you

Rom 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Rom 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

One is to . . .

Be baptized (immersed), which doth also now save us (1 Pet 3:21), it washes away our sins (Acts 22:16) immersed into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); the Lord stated (Mk 16:16)

Mar 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

And finally one is to . . .

Strive against sin, to live a holy life unto God (1 Pet 1:15-16),

1Pe 1:15 But because the God who called you is holy you must be holy in every aspect of your life.

1Pe 1:16 Scripture says, "Be holy, because I am holy." (GW)

Luk 13:24 "Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Being renewed day by day (2 Cor 4:16), through belief and the obedience of faith to God’s ever abiding, living and active word (1 Pet 2:2), putting off that old person, and putting on the new, being continually in a state of spiritual growth, showing forth God’s love through our life as a Christian (1 Pet 4:16), as the Bible teaches

Being led by the Holy Spirit in alignment with the Spirit delivered and confirmed word of God, that sword of the Spirit (Eph 6:17), in order that you won’t have your name blotted out of the Lamb’s Book of life (Rev 3:5), so that you may be granted entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (2 Pet 1:11).

This is the Christians “demonstration.”