Day 4 Be Transformed By the Renewing of Your Mind
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
So while the first part of Paul’s opening appeal related to the presentation of our bodies to God, the second part relates to our transformation by a new way of thinking. ‘Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will’ (12:2). Paul’s call here is no different to God’s constant call throughout scripture. God spoke to Israel through Moses, ‘You must not do as they do … in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices. You must obey my laws …’ (Leviticus 18:3; cf. 2 Kings 17:15). We aren’t to be like the chameleon that changes its colour to fit in with its surroundings. Paul issues the same summons not to be conformed to the prevailing culture but to be continually transformed. Both verbs, ‘conformed’ and ‘transformed,’ are present, passive, imperatives describing a continuing attitude. We must go on refusing to conform to the world’s ways and go on letting ourselves be transformed by the renewing of our mind. ‘Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God remould your minds from within’ (J. B. Philips).
We get our word ‘metamorphosis’ (to change into another form) from the word translated ‘transformed’ here (Greek: metamorphoo). Metamorphosis describes the transformation from caterpillar to butterfly in the English language. This radical transformation Paul speaks of in 12:2 is a direct result of our minds being renewed. The word used for this renewal means ‘to make something new again by making it different.’ We are transformed (changed into another form) as our minds are ‘made new again by being made different.’ There is no changed behaviour without changed thinking. As we dwell on the revelation of God displayed in the wonder of Christ’s sacrifice, our thinking begins to change. That changed thinking brings about a changed lifestyle. This fundamental transformation of character and conduct is always away from the standards of the world and into the image of Christ Himself.
There are two value systems, this world and God’s will. They are incompatible. Whether we are thinking about the purpose or meaning of life, about how to measure greatness or how to respond to evil, about ambition, sexuality, honesty, money, community or just about anything else, the two sets of standards diverge so completely that there can be no compromise between them.
This transformation takes place ‘by the renewing of your mind’ (12:2). Only a renewed mind can ‘test and approve’ (discern, appreciate and determine to obey) ‘God’s will … his good, pleasing and perfect will’ (12:2). There are no grounds for making these three stages of increasing conformity to God’s will – beginning with the least, ‘good,’ then the next best, ‘pleasing’ until we reach the ultimate, God’s ‘perfect will.’ Paul simply uses three descriptions of God’s will.
In summary: Paul’s appeal is addressed to the people of God, grounded on the mercies of God, and is concerned ultimately with the will of God. Only a Holy Spirit inspired vision of God’s mercy will inspire us to present our bodies to Him and allow Him to transform us according to His will. His will embraces all of our relationships, as Paul will go on to show – not only to God Himself (12:1,2) but also to ourselves (12:3-8), to each other (12:9-16), to evil-doers and enemies (12:17-21), to the state (13:1-7), to the law (13:8-10), to the day of Christ’s return (13:11-14) and to “weaker” members of the Christian community (14:1 – 15:13).