In his letter to the Romans, Paul tells the Christians in Rome to “be transformed by the renewing of their mind” (Romans 12:2). If you’ve spent any time in church, this is a well-known passage of scripture and rightly so. But how do we transform our mind? It isn’t as simple as changing the clothes we wear.
Our minds are affected by the culture around us, the people we spend time with, spiritual influences, and our experiences in life. Mental habits became ingrained over time. Some people are said to be optimistic, others pessimistic. If you hand one person a one-hundred-dollar bill, they might see an opportunity to receive while another person might see an opportunity to share with others. Can these habits of our thoughts and of the mind be changed?
Paul’s Letter to Rome
The Letter to the Romans is a wonderfully deep explanation of Christian theology. The first eleven chapters comprise Paul’s thoughts on the saving work of Christ in the world. Chapters 1-4 explain why we need the Gospel. Chapters 5-8 tell of the blessings to those who receive the Gospel, while chapters 9-11 untangle the Jewish tradition from the gospel message.
In these first eleven chapters, Paul beautifully lays out the reason Christ died and rose again, which is to bring salvation to all who believe in him. Paul tells the Romans that the old life is gone and they now live a new life in Christ. We were once dead in our sins but by faith in Jesus we are raised to new life with Jesus (Romans 6:4-11).
The discussion then moves to the new life that has been given to us, with Paul writing that the Holy Spirit gives us power to live in a new way. And there is the encouragement that “we are more than conquerors” in Christ (Romans 8:1-17). The apostle spends some time discussing what the gospel means to the Jews (Romans 9-11). Chapter 11 ends with a doxology, which is a fancy word for a liturgy of praise. Paul writes that the riches of God’s wisdom and knowledge are beyond anything that any man can know. God owes us nothing and everything comes from him. For this, may God be praised forever (Romans 11:33-36).
Therefore…
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters…” (Romans 12:1).
In English grammar, therefore is a coordinating conjunction. In one word, Paul is concluding his theology lesson and turning to practical application. He’s written eleven chapters about what we believe and is now saying that because we believe these theological truths, we must follow through by applying it to our lives. Everything that came before Romans 12:1 must now result in what comes after Romans 12:1.
There is an impressive list of things that Paul says should result from proper theology and right faith, including; don’t be prideful (v. 3), use the gifts given to you by the Holy Spirit (vv. 4-8), be devoted to the family of faith (v. 10), be generous in helping others (v. 13). And the list goes on.
Where do we get started in renewing our mind?
“Therefore, I urge you brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship” (Ro 12:1).
Because of God’s mercy, because of Christ’s saving work on the cross, because of the riches of God’s unknowable wisdom and knowledge, because of everything Paul talked about in chapters 1-11, present your bodies as a living sacrifice. Ancient Romans were well acquainted with the idea of blood sacrifice to their gods. Sacrifice was an important aspect of many religions. Paul says if you want to please the one, true God, present yourself to him as a living sacrifice.
Giving yourself to God as a sacrifice is an act of true and sincere worship. Worship isn’t about the few songs we sing or what we do on the weekends. True worship is about how we live as devoted sacrifices to God in the ordinary moments of every day.
“Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Ro 12:2).
Paul then gives the Romans a negative imperative and a positive imperative; do not be conformed and be transformed. If you have your theology and faith in place, if you present yourself to God as a living sacrifice, then you will not live like the world around you. Our cultural influences, the way we were raised, our mindset has been given over to God’s service.
As we live as sacrifices in God’s presence and for his service, our minds, that is our thoughts, beliefs, and understanding of life, will change to become more like God. Christ working in us through the Spirit urges us to lay the old life down and live the new life that has been given to us. A continual, repeating process of laying the old thoughts and beliefs aside and picking up the new thoughts and beliefs will, in time, result in a renewed mind.
What’s the point of a renewed mind?
“Then you will be able to discern what God’s will is - his good and pleasing and perfect will” (Ro 12:2b).
If you’re going to walk around planet earth as a living sacrifice to God, you need to know how he wants you to serve, what kind of person should you be, how to interact with others in a way that helps them see God’s kingdom in you. Transformation begins in the mind. Right actions follow right belief. Right behavior follows right thinking.
I’m not saying it’s easy. It doesn’t happen in one day or one week. It is a process that must be repeated over and over.
Present yourself to God as a living sacrifice. Confess your old ways and old thoughts to him. Then allow the Spirit of Christ the Lord to give you new thoughts that lead to new ways of living.
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God” (Colossians 3:1-3).
Copyright @ TA Boland 2024
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