Do Not Conform To The Pattern Of This World, But Be Transformed By The Renewing Of Your Mind
Believe On Jesus
ROMANS 12:1-2
“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.
”Romans 12:1-2 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rom.12.1-2.NKJ
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When an animal was sacrificed according to God's law, a priest would kill the animal, cut it into pieces, and place it on the altar.
Sacrifice was important, it paid the debt of one’s sin in Old Testament times before Christ came to pay the debt of the world once and for all time.
When one drives through a red light or speeds past a speed camera, breaking man’s law, he will get a fine or even a prison sentence to pay for the debt of his sin.
An animal sacrifice was like a fine to pay the debt of one’s sin back in Old Testament times.
God made it quite clear that even in Old Testament times that obedience from the heart was very important (see 1 SAMUEL 15:22; psalm 40:6; Amos 5:21-24), but because of our sinful nature inherited from Adam and Eve (PSALM 51:5), it is impossible for man to live a holy life without Gods help, and thus, impossible to be saved by works, for we have all committed sin one way or another, and justice must be served. ”If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.“
I John 1:8-10 NKJV
Today, there is no need for animal sacrifices, Jesus was the Lamb that paid the debt of all the sin of the whole world, past, present, and future.
But that doesn’t mean we can continue to live in sin, Jesus died to take away the consequences of sin, not to make it acceptable.
Many say that God wouldn’t condemn nice people, for His grace is enough. But actually, grace does not override justice, if it could, there would of been no reason for Christ to pay the debt, and all people have already sinned.
But the Good News is, that Jesus paid your debt of sin on your behalf, and therefore, all one needs do is believe and receive on the gift of life.
“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.“
Hebrews 11:5-7 NKJV
The same applies today, we are saved by the belief that that Christ paid our debt of sin on a cross, and that on the third day He was risen into resurrection life.
That is faith, and there is no other way to our Father in heaven except through Christ (JOHN 14:6).
“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”“
Romans 10:8-13 NKJV
But however, God wants us to offer ourselves, not animals as living sacrifices, Holy and acceptable to Him, by daily putting aside our own desires that we can follow and serve Him to share the Good News to all, putting all of our energy and resources at His disposal, and trusting Him to lead and guide us through every aspect of life by believing on Him.
God's plan for His children is good, pleasing, and perfect. He wants us to not remain conformed to the things of this world, but rather that we separate ourselves from them that we can become a transformed people by the renewing of our minds, living to honour and obey Him, and gaining knowledge and proof of what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Therefore, because He wants only what is best for us, and because He gave His only begotten Son to make our new life possible, we should happily, present our bodies a living sacrifices for His service.
Paul warned Christians, "Don't copy the behaviour and customs of this world" that are often corrupt, selfish, or both; we believers must understand that much worldly behaviour is off-limits to believers.
Our refusal to conform to this world's values, however, must go even deeper than just behaviour and customs. It must be planted in our hearts and minds.
My brethren, we must fully submit to God’s will, separating ourselves from the things of this world, of which will result in a total transformation of the way we think; we will become more and more Christ like in our very nature as our minds are renewed. It is then you shall come to understand and “prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
Romans 12:2 NKJV
It is possible to avoid most worldly customs, and still be selfish, proud, conveyors, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our mind, are we truly transformed into a new person, pleasing to God. (see 8:5).
It is a process that starts on the very day one gives his life to Christ, and continues throughout his life until the return of Christ.
Paul said, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;”
Philippians 1:3-6 NKJV
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
