A Living Sacrifice
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 12:2
be not conformed... Note the two commands of this verse.
Conformed... Greek: suschematizo, to conform to another’s example. Used only here and in 1Pet. 1:14.
to this world... Greek: aion, age. Do not pattern after this age or to the times (see, Heb. 1:2).
be ye transformed... Greek: metamorphoo, transformed or transfigured by a supernatural change, as in Mat. 17:2; Mark 9:2; Rom. 12:2; 2Cor. 3:18. This change is by a renewing of the mind or spirit (Tit. 3:5; cp. 2Cor. 4:16; Col. 3:10; Heb. 6:6; Eph. 4:23).
that ye may... Six things that constitute the acceptable and perfect will of God:
1. Present your bodies a living sacrifice to God (Rom. 12:1; 1Cor. 3:16-17; 6:20).
2. Make the body holy (Rom. 12:1; 2Cor. 7:1).
3. Make self acceptable to God (Rom. 12:1).
4. Render reasonable service (Rom. 12:1).
5. Be not conformed to the world (Rom. 12:2).
6. Be transformed from the world (Rom. 12:2).
and perfect, will... Greek: teleios, that which has reached its end; nothing more to complete it.
Paul says, “Stop conforming yourselves”. They are to resist being poured into the mold of the present thinking, value systems, and conduct of this world. Again this term is used only here and in 1Pet. 1:14.
God’s will refers to His purpose for the life of the believer. It implies His guidance or direction in all of life’s decisions. Dedication is an act of surrender or submission to His will for our lives whereby we become a “Living sacrifice.”
The Greek word, for which the English word “metamorphosis” comes, connotes a change in outward appearance. Matthew uses the same word to describe the Transfiguration. Just as Christ briefly and in a limited way displayed outwardly His inner, divine nature and glory at the Transfiguration, Christians should outwardly manifest their inner, redeemed natures, not once, but daily.
The renewing of your mind is the kind of transformation that occurs only as the Holy Spirit changes our thinking through consistent study and meditation of Scripture (Psm. 119:11).
“Good, acceptable, and perfect is the Holy living which God approves. These words borrow from the Old Testament sacrificial language and describe a life that is morally and spiritually spotless, just as the sacrificial animals were to be.
The things that displeased God in the Old Testament are still what displease Him today. God wants us to be holy as He is holy. Jesus is coming back for those who are without spot or wrinkle. If you have sin in your life, repent and ask God to help you live free of sin.
Again, Paul then stated general implications of a believer’s offering his life to God as a sacrifice. Such an offering represents a complete change in lifestyle, involving both a negative and a positive aspect. First, Paul commanded, Do not conform (lit., “Do not be conformed”; this Gr. word occurs elsewhere in the NT only in 1Pet. 1:14) any longer to the pattern of this world (aiōni, “Age”). Living according to the lifestyle of “the present evil Age” (Gal. 1:4; cf. Eph. 1:21) must now be put aside. Then Paul commanded, But be transformed (pres. passive imper., “keep on being transformed”) by the renewing of your mind. The Greek verb translated “transformed” (metamorphousthe) is seen in the English word “metamorphosis,” a total change from inside out (cf. 2Cor. 3:18). The key to this change is the “mind” (noos), the control center of one’s attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and actions (cf. Eph. 4:22-23). As one’s mind keeps on being made new by the spiritual input of God’s Word, prayer, and Christian fellowship, his lifestyle keeps on being transformed.
Paul added, Then you will be able to test and approve (dokimazein, “prove by testing” [1Pet. 1:7, “proved genuine”], i.e., ascertain) what God’s will is — His good, pleasing (cf. Rom. 12:1), and perfect will. These three qualities are not attributes of God’s will as the NIV and some other translations imply. Rather, Paul said that God’s will itself is what is good, well-pleasing (to Him), and perfect. “Good,” for example, is not an adjective (God’s “good” will) but a noun (God’s will is what is good — good, i.e., for each believer).
As a Christian is transformed in his mind and is made more like Christ, he comes to approve and desire God’s will, not his own will for his life. Then he discovers that God’s will is what is good for him, and that it pleases God, and is complete in every way. It is all he needs. But only by being renewed spiritually can a believer ascertain, do, and enjoy the will of God.
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