In light of all God has done for you, what is the right response to Him? After eleven chapters in the book of Romans reminding us of all God has done for us by His mercy, God calls us to surrender our lives wholeheartedly.
Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1)
Then, he challenges us not to be "pressed into the world's mold” (vs. 2, Phillips translation) and gives us the key to spiritual transformation and its results.
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Everyone has old information in their minds. And, "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7). The information, opinions, beliefs, and values accumulated in our minds determine everything we do.
When we become true believers in Christ, our minds are not instantly changed. It is a lifelong process. Paul reminds us that old, godless information must be replaced with new, godly information. Imagine wiping a computer clean and installing a new operating system and programs because the old system was corrupted.
This process occurs through listening to God through His Word and prayer. We must read the Word daily and talk to Him throughout the day (unceasing prayer). We must surround ourselves with Biblical teaching by those who teach the Word accurately and spiritually. We should add to that great books by godly authors and great relationships with spiritual friends. The more we surround ourselves with God’s Word, the more our mind is transformed.
Added to this must be a willingness (see verse 1) of quick surrender to all God says. Our faithful obedience to God’s Word will engrain, solidify, and validate the truth in our lives until it becomes a part of us. Meditating on the Word (as Psalm 1 says) and obeying the Word transforms our mind.
... is that we will begin to do the will of God. It will become our life. And His will is …
- Good: something that has great moral excellence
- Acceptable: giving pleasure and satisfaction to a greater degree, even, than is usual.
- Perfect: complete, lacking in absolutely nothing
Who would not want this happy result? If so, it is only accomplished through a surrender to do God's will and the daily renewing of our minds through the study of His word and a surrendered following.
