Conformed Or Transformed

Illustration

Life is sometimes like a road map.

God has shown us the road we are to follow- with all its curves, ups/downs, pot-holes, divided highways

He has not told us how fast to go, what restaurants to stop at, what cities to visit or the ones not to visit.

The life He has given us- not a list of does and don’ts.

He has given us …

the Holy Spirit and

revealed truth to us in His Word.

Now we must take those truths, under the leading of the Holy Spirit, and apply them to everyday life.

Introduction

This morning I want to walk through Rom 12.

We did this in our House Church Wednesday- if you were there- more opportunity to explore Rom 12.

Phil 3:1 … To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you.

Rom 12 deals with taking truths Paul presented in previous chapters, and applying them practically.

Our understanding of …

truth shapes our character,

our character is reflected in our conduct, and

our conduct is worked out in relationships.

The life we live here on earth, our outward conduct, is dependent on the reality of Christ alive in us.

Rom 8:11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you … NASU

That life is a result of- life, death, resurrection of JC.

A psychiatrist may be able to give a sedative that will deaden the pain of living while a man goes on in his sinful way, but only Christ can bring the cure. (Dr. Donald Barnhouse)

Rom 12:1

By the mercies of God …

When Jesus died for our sins- God’s salvation for mankind- moved from prophesy- to historical fact.

In- single act of Jesus death-God has shown us mercy.

We do not need to ask for mercy- we have received it.

Lam 3:22-23

22 The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning;

Great is Your faithfulness. NASU

Based on these mercies- Paul appeals to us- live our lives in a way that brings honor-not shame-to God.

To present your bodies…

Paul is appealing to our will that we would chose to yield our lives to God.

2 Cor 8:3-5

They gave liberally to Paul’s financial support, but they first gave their lives to God/Paul.

You cannot present your body to God without first presenting yourself to God.

Outward sacrifice is never pleasing to God until we have given our lives entirely to Him.

A living and holy sacrifice …

Sacrifice has come to mean giving up something at a value far below what it is worth.

In the OT they did sacrifice animals to gain something of greater value- the favor/blessings of God.

However a life has already been sacrificed for us- JC.

Eph 5:2 … Christ … gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. NASU

Our focus is not on something we lose, but something we gain that is far greater than what we have lost.

There is no loss in comparison to what we gain.

Rom 12:2

And stop assuming an outward expression that does not come from within you and is not representative of what you are in your inner being, but is patterned after this age; but change your outward expression to one that comes from within and is representative of your inner being … Kenneth Wuest

God’s life in us- yearning to express itself through us.

It wants to burst forth like a stream of living water.

In order for that life to come forth we must …

first, turn from the pattern of the world and,

second, be transformed into the image of God.

Rom 8:29 For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son … NASU

We were made to look like Christ.

We are not to fashion our life to look like those around us, but we are to allow the Spirit within

to govern the conduct of the outer man.

The World …

I do not want to paint the picture that the world is evil.

However, even all the good things in the world cannot bring salvation or eternal hope for mankind.

It is not wrong to have fortune/fame/to enjoy life.

These are not evil until- become the focus of our life,

rather than- by-product of living/serving God.

Pro 10:22 It is the blessing of the Lord that makes rich, And He adds no sorrow to it.

Fortune, fame, power, and pleasure can all be enjoyed when kept in proper perspective.

But be transformed …

Transformed- to change from one nature to another.

From the Greek word we get metamorphosis- a tadpole comes a frog, caterpillar a butterfly.