Romans 12:1-2 JB Phillips “With eyes wide open to the mercies of God, I beg you, my brothers, as an act of intelligent worship, to give him your bodies, as a living sacrifice, consecrated to him, and acceptable by him. Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within, so that you may prove in practice that the plan of God for you is good, meets all his demands and moves towards the goal of true maturity.” Romans 12:2 “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.” As a believer, are we still in the same condition now as we once were when we were a sinner, just the same old vehicle, but we are totally different, just look at the nice new ‘Licence Plate,’ we are totally different, but then in reality we are just the same, the same old grubby castle, even with a new flag fluttering from the tower, nothing has changed, or have they??
The purpose of ‘Conversion,’ is to bring us back into being just like Jesus. It does not happen overnight, but we must have the decision in us, in our hearts, a decision that is 100%, then this is how I want to live, and since the Bible teaches that everything comes from out of our heart, if this decision is inside, within your heart, 100%, it will definitely come out in your life, that ‘re-birth,’ that ‘Transformation,’ that new life in Christ, “Be ye Transformed.” Ephesians 5:9-10 “(For the fruit of the Spirit [is] in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” “Be Ye Transformed.”
Just ask a happily married woman, cradling a new baby, if she is the same now as she was as a teenager, has anything changed, are you still just the same? The reply will be that nothing is just like it used to be, what was dreamed about has been marvelously and well surpassed, and superseded by the reality, even if husband and child were suddenly swept way in a disaster, the changes are there for forever, forever transformed, how? JB Phillips, I think has it well said, “but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Could she go back to being a teenager, live that way again, not likely, as that new life has changed her thinking, living and being for forever, even as a new widow and living back at home again, things are just forever different.
As a believer, how “Transformed” are you really, are you the same ole same ole, new flag, new licence plate, but no transformation, that ole castle with the same ole grubby activities being carried out in the dungeons, or has there been a complete transformation, both without and within, or is that an ill-fitting Christian semblance that you are vainly trying to use to cover your unconverted being?? Are you the ‘same difference,’ or are you ‘the same’ or are you ‘different?’ “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould, but let God re-mould your minds from within,” and the transformation will be clearly seen by all who observe you, your speech and actions, your radiant Christian smile will be more than evidence that you have changed, you responded to the pleadings of God, “Be ye Transformed.” We need to remember that, “Love is what you do, not what you say, for Actions speak louder than Words.” “If you don’t learn something new each day, then what’s the point of living, living is learning, growing, developing, flourishing,” “Do you want your wounds to define you? You may well be definitely failing, but you have not actually failed just yet.” JB Phillips, I think has it well said, “but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.” “Be ye Transformed.”
A Transformation is best seen as what was, what used to be, is no longer, The Lost is Found, the Sinner has found Salvation, the Prodigal came Home, it is an obvious and easy observation, even a little child can tell the difference, “Sheep-Goats,” “Wheat -Tares,” “Saved-Lost,” “God’s people-Satan’s People,” there is a clear difference and distinction, God’s People heard the call, “Be ye Transformed,” they repented, did an about turn, left the broad road to perdition, and now walk the narrow way to Salvation, they are now totally different people and on a totally different pathway, a totally different mindset, on a new wavelength, following God instead of self and sin, 2 Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man [be] in Christ, [he is] a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” God’s People heard the call, “Be ye Transformed.”
Quote; “The formation of character is the work of a lifetime, and it is for eternity. If all could realize this, if they would awake to the thought that we are individually deciding our own destiny for eternal life or eternal ruin, what a change would take place! How differently would this probationary time be occupied, and what different characters would fill our world! {CG 162} Quote; “An upright character is of greater worth than the gold of Ophir. Without it none can rise to an honourable eminence. But character is not inherited. It cannot be bought. Moral excellence and fine mental qualities are not the result of accident. The most precious gifts are of no value unless they are improved. The formation of a noble character is the work of a lifetime, and must be the result of diligent and persevering effort. God gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them. {CE 227} Quote; “The work of sanctification is the work of a lifetime; it must go on continually; but this work cannot go on in the heart while the light on any part of the truth is rejected or neglected. The sanctified soul will not be content to remain in ignorance, but will desire to walk in the light and to seek for greater light. As a miner digs for gold and silver, so the follower of Christ will seek for truth as for hidden treasures, and will press from light to a greater light, ever increasing in knowledge. He will continually grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Self must be overcome. Every defect of character must be discerned in God’s great mirror. We may discover whether or not we are condemned by God’s standard of character. {1SM 317} How will you respond to this call, “Be ye Transformed?”
