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.”
I was driving down a country road with a preacher when we came upon a piece of land that was in the beginning stages of being transformed into a construction site to build a large edifice. I commented to this preacher that it is amazing how they take a piece of land, envision what they are going to build on it, and then they transform it into that image. Eventually, that piece of real estate will become a beautiful building that will be used to help many people.
That is exactly what the verse above is talking about. God has a vision for the Christian to be transformed into His image. There is a construction project going on in the life of every Christian to transform them from worldly living to living in the image of God. How do you transform from conforming to the world to living in the image of God? I believe the verse above shows us four steps in this transformation process.
First, it starts by changing the mind. The verse above says,“…be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” A Christian will never be transformed without changing their thinking process. How do we change the thinking process? Psalm 119:9 shows us how when it says, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” The mind will only be changed by regularly spending time in God’s Word.
Second, a transformation happens when you change your habits. Notice this verse says, “…that ye may prove…” This is a person’s habits. You will never change when you keep living the same life you lived before you got saved. You will change your habits by changing who you spend time with and where you go. If you are going to transform yourself into the image of Christ, you are going to have to change your habits.
Third, a transformation happens when you make right decisions. The verse above shows us that we have to continually make the decision between the “…good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Your decisions will be affected by your habits. If your habits are wrong, your decisions will also be wrong. It is hard to transform from conforming to the world when you are copying the world’s lifestyle. You will only be transformed into God’s image by changing your habits, and those habits will only be changed by making the right decisions. The right decisions will only be made when you daily spend time in God’s Word allowing it to renew your mind.
Fourth, a transformation happens when you live for a calling. In verse 1, God compels the Christian to be a “living sacrifice.” When living for the cause of Christ becomes your sole focus of life, it will not be difficult to be transformed into His image. Having a purpose to live will always cause you to change what you do.
This whole transformation process starts by changing the mind which is accomplished by reading God’s Word. Friend, the world needs to see individuals who are a story of God’s power. The transformation process is a powerful story that will compel others to want to change. Let me encourage you to stop trying to copy the world, and begin the transformation process so you can be a great testimony for Christ.