Transformed

Good morning and welcome in everybody. Today we are going to take a look at a passage of Scripture from The book of Romans.

Romans 12 ¹ 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. ² 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.

When someone is transformed, it is to go through a dramatic change in their character. Certain behaviors that were commonplace in their past, are cast away so that we can become a new creature in Christ. The old sinner that we used to be, needs to be put to death, rejecting the world and its ways for the path of God. 

Colossians 3 ⁹ Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; ¹⁰ And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

In order to grow into what God wants us to become, we need to be reeducated with the seed of His Holy Word. All of us have grown up in this world, being trained in its knowledge. Just as people go to schools in order to learn, the church is a Spiritual place of learning, as we are fed each day with the milk of God’s Word. 

2 Timothy 3 ¹⁶ All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷ That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

We need to retrain our minds and take a different path than the one we used to walk on. We need to understand His will, and with a humble heart obediently submit to it. Our lives need to become completely transformed by the truth of scripture, casting off the wicked works of darkness, and walking in the light.

Ephesians 5 ⁸ For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

⁹  (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) ¹⁰ Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

When you prove something, it is to show  by your actions that you are capable of doing something. For example, before a parent leaves a child on the beach, they won’t want to leave them unattended unless they first demonstrate that they are capable of swimming. Before somebody gets a driver’s license, they need to show the instructor that they can drive safely around town. In the Christian Life, we want to prove to the Lord how much we love Him by completely submitting to His will. It’s more than just words alone, it’s about becoming a doer of His will. 

James 1 ²¹ Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. ²² But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. ²³ For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: ²⁴ For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. ²⁵ But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

In order to become transformed, it requires embracing the truth of God’s Word. Only then can somebody understand their own sinful behavior, and eventually turn away from it. It’s this humble act of repentance from the heart, that someone can finally be freed from their sinful activities and worldly lifestyles.

John 8 ³¹ Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; ³² And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. ³³ They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? ³⁴ Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. ³⁵ And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. ³⁶ If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

Rather than serving the sinful nature, we are called to serve Christ Jesus. It’s a matter of saying no to this world, and yes to God. 

Romans 6 ¹⁶ Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

¹⁷ But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. ¹⁸ Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.

Remember that we are called out of the world, and not to return to the way that we used to live in the past. Rather than living in the flesh, we need to walk in the Spirit, and completely mortify the deeds of the sinful nature.

1 Peter 1 ¹³ Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; ¹⁴ As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:

Romans 8 ¹² Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. ¹³ For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. ¹⁴ For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Each day, we need to take a look inside of our own hearts and see how our life matches the teaching of scripture. To prove our perfect love for the Lord Jesus, it requires walking in the truth of the Christian faith. We need to renounce sin, and purify our hearts in holiness. 

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” 2 Corinthians 13:5

“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:21

It takes more than just words to walk in the will of God. It takes faithful actions of obedience each and every day. We must prove our love for Him by submitting to His purpose, as obedient children, and becoming completely…..

…. Transformed

Let’s think about these things for right now.  We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc  where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody.♥️