Romans 12:2: Worship & Transformation

Romans 12:2.. "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

Oftentimes in Christian circles we speak of the idea of "transformation." However, do we really know what it means? The concept of transformation may be easy for us to understand, but what does it mean biblically? What truly is Christian transformation? Let us find out.

Christian transformation is, in short, what happens when we are sanctified. If we are growing in Christ, we are being constantly being transformed. We see this clearly in Romans 12:2. Right after defining spiritual worship in Romans 12:1, Paul explains what Christian transformation is (hhmmm, it's almost like spiritual worship and spiritual transformation were connected somehow...). But what truly is Christian transformation, more specifacly?

Firstly, Christian transformation is ongoing. We see this by Paul's continual command to "be transformed." Usually when we speak of transformation, we speak of a solitary process, like a catipillar turning into a butterfly for example. This is a one-time thing. However, Christian transformation is certainly not a one-time thing, though many think it is. Though we are certainly transformed when we are saved, we are continuing to be transformed day by day--that is, if we are walking in faithful obedience.

Secondly, Christian transformation is inward. Transformation is not conformation, it's transformation. Transformation goes deeper than the exterior and into the interior. It touches deeper than the body by going to the mind and the heart. Transformation does not occur on the outside, but on the inside. We will not be transformed if only our actions are chnanged. We will only be transformed if our mind and heart are changed.

Thirdly, Christian transformation is how we discern the will of God. Without growing in Christ, we will never find out more of how he disires us to live. As we grow in him, he fixates our minds on his his will, our hearts on his desires, and our lives on his path. Ultimately, through transformation, we find the will of God--that is, what is "good and acceptable and perfect." Thus, this is how we worship. For how will we offer up acceptable, living sacrifices to God (which we looked at yesterday) if we do not know what we ought to bring? Surely we ought to be transformed by the renewing of our mind.

One commentator, speaking on both Romans 12:1-2, said this: "He who is ruled by the world's spirit and pursuits, to whom the world is the only great thing, cannot worship." I think this is a beautiful way of summarizing both of these verses. If we seek to worship by sacrifice, we must know what to sacrifice, and we find out what we ought to sacrifice by seeking to be transformed. Thus, we see the following pattern:

truth --> transformation --> worship

First, we find the truth. Second, we let the truth transform us. Third, we worship by sacrifice because of the great change that has happened in our lives because of God's great truth and that change that it brings.

So, are you actively seeking transformation? Are you seeking to be renewed by your mind in order that you might know what God's will is for you life? Are you worshiping in sacrifice in response to these things? Surely we ought to.