Romans 12 (Part 35) Renewing the Mind

Romans 12:2:

• transformed: metamorphao: change.

o present tense

o imperative mood. God is appealing to my will. God is not going to command something and at the same time make me do it. Where does all this take place? The mind. 2 Timothy 2:15. Studying the Word is a wrestling idea.

o passive voice. We cannot change ourselves (we cooperate with the Holy Spirit). We get to choose whether we will be transformed. It can refer to a change that is outwardly visible (coming from within). Matthew 17:1-2. Jesus was perfect on the inside that came out on His face. It can refer to a change that is inward [invisible to the eye]. Stop thinking this way. Start thinking this way.

• renewing of your mind: implies that we do not think right. My thinking needs to be changed.

• so that you may prove: Put to the test. The result of the test: That you determineascertainappreciate what the will of God is. Testing metals: lead is really shiny when it is put to the heat. It is dull otherwise.

• will of God:

o good—From a biblical standpoint, the highest good is the will of God.

o acceptable—pleasing.

o perfect.

2 Corinthians 3:18:

• unveiled face (open face): The condition required is the unveiled face--choice to look. Where are we going to look? It has to be the right place--the mirror.

• beholding as in a mirror (behold as in a glass): the place to look. The mirror is the Word of God. James 1:23-25.

• the glory of the Lord: The thing seen in the mirror is the glory of the Lord. The glory is everything about Jesus--His whole person. We see the glory of the Lord indirectly. We know Him through the Word. The process involved: walking step by step. There can be a change in me. I can make a choice to reflect Jesus. I can make a choice in what influences me. Walk the Christian life and not cross the line. We cannot change ourselves (we cooperate). We get to choose whether we will be transformed. Have victory today and have victory tomorrow.

• changed into the same image (transformed into the same image): the result accomplished--transformed in the image of Jesus--absorbing the Word and becoming more like Him every day.