Those little foxes will spoil the vine
Lest you have a transformed mind.
With all thy getting, this is a must
To place in Him your completed trust.
By God’s Word perfecting in you
With all thy heart, acknowledge it’s true.
Your understanding you cannot lean
But handfuls of purpose daily glean.
Hide His riches in your heart
And day by day a prayerful start.
Live your life a transformed mind
Defeat those foxes, grow in the vine.
Present your body, holy is Thine
To you, O Lord, a renewing mind.
Romans 12:1,2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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.
Duty and Doctrine—Belief and Behavior
The apostle Paul is beseeching the brethren for a total transformation. Are there unfathomable mysteries—are there unattainable promises God has given only to frustrate mortal man? It is only through and by the transformed mind that we can even understand all that God has prepared for His children. How can this be? It begins with presenting our bodies a living sacrifice unto God. After all, we are not our own or do we even understand that fact? The apostle beseeches me/you to present my/your body a living sacrifice. This is to be holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Using the word sacrifice is certainly the Holy Spirit’s intention. This brings us to the Old Testament system and even back to the Tabernacle, where the priest entered the Holiest of Holies, to bring the annual sacrifice. So, what exactly is the apostle, under Holy Spirit inspiration, telling the New Testament saint? Hold on to that thought and question for just a moment.
From the time of salvation we are new creatures in Christ. Thus begins the walk of faith. The transformation Paul speaks of may appear to be mystical and even unattainable by some. Others will label this legalistic. But Scripture says this is good, and acceptable, and perfect. As a matter of fact, this is the will of God.
This transformation is, simply put, to be like Jesus. Are you a Christian? What exactly does that mean? Are we to be Christ-like as the meaning of Christian says? Does that carry with it the true meaning of transformation by the renewing of your mind.?
Ultimately, the one mind that matters is the mind of Christ. So, “In the beginning God…” and “In the beginning was the word…” reassures us of the fact that it all begins with Him. This miraculous transformation by the renewing of our mind is by the mercies of God. He must do the transforming. He transforms our minds by His Word. Consider the following:
The born again child of God desires to be more like Jesus, not more like the world—yes?
The Word of God is absolute authority in the child of God’s life, not feelings, fads, and the fashions of this world—yes?
Men and women with a solid Biblicist model are our examples not modernist, purpose-driven, emergent, charismatic pseudos—yes?
We should ask the Lord’s counsel for discernment of the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God not the world’s counsel—yes?
Purpose in your heart to stand strong and know the rewards of high standards and Biblical separation—yes?
The transformed mind loves, as 1 Corinthians 13 describes, knowing that not every saved person will embrace Romans 12: 1,2.
Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever, and as the world and worldlings move and change, the transformed mind is steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord.
A MULTITUDE OF MINDS
The setting was the streets of Delhi, India. It is always uncomfortable to have a panhandler confront me with what is usually a pack of lies about why they want my hard earned money. In this case, I’m 9,000 miles from home and the last thing I need is to be accosted by a street person, a beggar. The dear Indian brother traveling with me had no patience for his fellow countryman trying to shake down the American gringo. In a sudden outburst he almost shouted at the beggar, “Why don’t you get a job?” Without hesitation and to our shock, the beggar immediately blurted, “I’ve got a job—it’s hard work begging out here in the hot sun.”
Talk about different mindsets and ways of thinking. First, there’s an American in a foreign country. That’s me, with all my background and culture. Then two Indians going toe-to-toe with obviously different opinions about the definition of legitimate employment.
The next day we were scheduled to drive from Delhi to Agra. After grabbing a bite to eat, my Indian brother left his trash and paper cup lying on the street curb. Now India typically has its share of litter and garbage. I mildly rebuked my friend for tossing his trash inappropriately. Again, for me the response was unexpected. “There are people that are paid to collect trash. If I don’t leave some, they will not have a job.”
These are true and humorous accounts. It illustrates how vastly different people are and different thinking can be. By the way, I love the people of India. It has been my joy to visit India nine times and minister with our precious brethren. With dozens of languages, many religions and such diversity of culture, India is a prime example of diversity in thinking.
So whether India, the United States or any other point on the planet what makes one’s thinking right, wrong, good or bad? Thus our study—The Transformed Mind.
HOW DO YOU SEE IT?
A professor wrote the following words on the chalkboard and asked each student to punctuate them: A woman without her man is nothing
All male students punctuated the words this way:
A woman, without her man, is nothing.
All female students punctuated the words this way:
A woman: without her, man is nothing.
Without the discussion of right or wrong, it is not very difficult to find a variety of opinions and thinking when it comes to the various issues of life. The apostle Paul makes it clear in the realm of the spiritual that the transformed mind must be renewed by the Word of God.
Far too frequently I make a gesture or say something seemingly involuntarily that is identical to my parents. Often it is a characteristic I did not especially appreciate in my mom and dad. Was that genetic or repetitive influence? DNA, environment and a host of factors shape our thinking. The writings and documents of religion through the centuries have built and destroyed nations. People are a complex curiosity. So with all that said, we as believers in Jesus Christ have been given the mind and message of God in His inspired/infallible Word. The choice is ours. Will we be conformed to this world or transformed by the renewing of our mind?
Not every person in the pew will have a transformed mind. Not every pastor in the pulpit will have a transformed mind. But as we will see in our text, the transformed mind is without doubt a Biblical teaching, if not a command. Our text is taken from Romans 12:1-2
The great apostle Paul, saved by the grace of God, a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ, separated unto the gospel of God says this is his prayer for us. “I beseech you therefore, brethren…”
- The Plea – Paul says, I am pleading, begging, beseeching you by the power of this Scripture to be transformed. No not a casual; would you think about it, please do me a favor suggestion. In his plea for transformation Paul is calling us near to himself in an urgent beseeching. Under inspiration Paul says, “I beseech you therefore.” I was told as a young preacher when you see, “therefore,” ask what is “therefore” there for? The reason is the principles or doctrine Paul has previously taught.
- The Principles – The apostle Paul by inspiration gives us the foundation to stand on and presents the practical for living the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. (Note the GAP – GOOD, ACCEPTABLE, and PERFECT) The Book of Romans is in itself a treatise. As you read and study, here’s a brief outline:
- His Doctrine – Romans Chapters 1-11
(This is the “therefore” that Paul is referring to in Romans 12)
My Duty – Romans Chapters 12-16
Our Decision – Romans Chapter 16:24-27
Take a look at the end from the beginning. The Book of Romans closes with what I emphasize as our decision. Just an observation: When an individual is born again, the Holy Spirit begins to teach and guide in all Truth (John 16:13 Prov. 3:5, 6-9; II Peter 1:19). If the growth is stunted early on, recovery is rare (Matt 28:19,20). As Paul closes in Romans 16:24-27, we see
the miraculous “grace of our Lord Jesus Christ”
the marvelous gospel – the power to stablish us according to my gospel
the message given – the preaching of Jesus Christ
the mystery glorious – Paul uses mystery 20 times in his epistles, speaking of God’s glorious purpose. Christ is all in all.
The manifest goodness made known to all nations.
The magnificent God – Only wise, glory through Jesus Christ. Think about it. The Lord will use us to tell the nations, the world about our Saviour.
Our decision is certainly not conforming to this world, nor is it legalism, rules or hypocrisy. Keep in mind the end result is a transformed mind. So, we have the plea given by Paul and principles he has taught in Romans, Chapters 1-11. Now we see the participants are the brethren.
- The
Participants
There is a deep connection and close relationship. Together we are in Christ. The apostle Paul has addressed us personally as the brethren. We are the participants in this transformation. So we see The Plea, The Principles, and The Participants. But you may ask the question, “How can this transformation be possible?” And so without His provision, it would be impossible.
- The
Provision
Can we do this? Yes, but only “by the mercies of God”. It’s mind over matter, and your mind does matter. 2017 marked the 500th anniversary of the protestant reformation and a towering thinker. That historical event did not always reflect a transformation but from God’s Word we can have a transformation reformation. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep they heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” If by reformation you mean a total transformation of the heart and mind, then, and only then, will result the miracle of Romans 12:2. Proverbs 23:7 says, “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he….” The mind and heart does matter if we make reformation and resolutions without transformation. There will be no lasting change of heart and mind apart from Transformation. President Ronald Reagan once said, “The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they’re ignorant; it’s just that they know so much that isn’t so.” Ignorance and wrong thinking will lead to wrong living and lead to bad influence. “A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fools wrath is heavier than them both” Proverbs 27.3. The wrath of a fool can be dangerous and even deadly. But think of this. A church full of people conformed to this world—they can condemn a generation to hell. It is only “by the mercies of God” that transformation can occur and a generation can live to the glory of God. That is HIS provision. Now let’s look at the presentation.
- The Presentation
The apostle says, “….present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”
“What! know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are Gods.” I Corinthians 6:19-20. Some are always saying God looks on the heart, and that is true. But the carnal crowd is making excuses for their conformity to the ways of the world. The apostle Paul speaks of the reasonable service which is more than just a so-called reasonable request. This service refers to the priestly ministry. Choose you this day whom ye will serve. Presenting our bodies a living sacrifice is not asking too much. We are not to be a pierced, tattooed, dancing footed, wine sipping, leggin’ wearing, carnally clad body. Did you notice holy and acceptable unto God? So presenting your body is a service of the mind, reasonable. If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, then what is reasonable? Read Joshua 24:15. All too often we live beneath our birthright. The only way we can understand this is by a transformed mind.
It’s always amazing to me how some people achieve a certain way of thinking and view of their life. David Rockefeller died on March 20, 2017, at age 101. He was the grandson of John D. Rockefeller, a devout northern Baptist. John D. would read the Bible daily, attend prayer meetings twice a week, and led his own Bible study. He abstained from alcohol and tobacco all his life. John D gave tens of thousands of dollars to Christian groups even while trying to borrow a million dollars to expand his own business. By age 45 John D. Rockefeller had given away $100,000 per year. By age 53 he gave away $1,000,000 per year. At age 80 he gave away $138,000,000 per year. In total he gave $550,000,000 to churches, schools, hospitals, black schools, southern schools, and Baptist schools. What a way of thinking. This man had a mind about life and giving. If only every believer had a mind for presenting their body as a gift to God. Okay, now watch this carefully. I’m not teaching some mystical, religious, impossible hocus-pocus. This is not some wild-eyed, charismatic, emergent church, new-age heresy. This is the born-again saint of God performing the priestly ministry and service of a living sacrifice presented unto God, holy, acceptable and reasonable. This is not a second work of grace, a second blessing nor sinless perfection. This is a living sacrifice, transformed by the renewing of our mind!
From the Old Testament Tabernacle and High Priest to the New Testament Temple of the Holy Ghost and believer priest, we “enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way…”. Read Hebrews 10:15-25………..
Almighty God in every detail “by His mercies” and His perfect plan (He is the architect) gives us the prophetic picture of perfect propitiation. From the OT to the NT, from the Tabernacle to the Temple of the Holy Ghost we see the sinner, you and me, as being outside. We enter the door and there is the brazen altar. Christ is the door and it is His Cross where Christ gave His life to give us life. We pass on from the brazen altar to the laver where there’s washing and cleansing. Then there’s the table of fellowship and light at the golden candlestick. The power of prayer as we come to the incense altar when suddenly, we behold, the veil is rent! Come to the mercy seat “by the mercies of God”. Come on in, His mercies are mine, they are yours. Don’t stay outside sinner. And don’t live in the courtyard saint. The veil is rent and we can enter into the Holiest. In Christ, Christ in us is the hope of glory. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Therefore, enter into the Holiest by the blood of Jesus. Don’t feed on the dregs of this world. The veil is rent. Enter in to the Holy Place. Behold The Transformation!
Let’s read our text one more time. Romans 12:1,2 says:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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.
Consider this ABC formula for The Transformed Mind. Philippians 4:8 says, “Think on these things.” The attitude of the believer concerning the things of God is absolutely critical to the transformed mind. Read what Paul says our minds should think on in Philippians 4:8. “The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29. The attitude of our mind should be obedience in all that God has revealed to us. This is not mysterious, but God has given us His Word to be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path. It’s a matter of attitude—willingness to recognize His direction; aptitude—reading and studying to learn what God has said; altitude—commitment to the high call of God in Christ Jesus.
Secondly, think about the word believe. Acts 17:11,12 says:
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
The Bereans received the Word with all readiness of mind and searched the Scriptures daily. Then the record in Acts says many of them believed. Our transformed mind is dependent daily on the Word of God renewing our minds in this world of confusion.
Finally, where is Biblical conviction?—conviction for the Word of God, to the work of God and in the way of God.
Years ago, while ministering and living in Montana a very sad and tragic event occurred. An elk hunter raised his high-powered rifle, pulled the trigger, and discharged a bullet aimed at his target, but unbeknown to him the projectile traveled another mile further striking a young girl riding her horse on a distinct mountain ridge killing her. Did the hunter intend to do this? NO! The illustration is—we must always look beyond the target. The transformed mind is not fixated on just the hear-and-now, but looks beyond the target. The transformed mind lives in the light of eternity.
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