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Written by Deanna Brooks, Volunteer with Iron Rose Sister Ministries in Arkansas
Romans 12:1,2 ESV: I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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.
Romans 12:1,2 NLT: And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Three words stand out in this scripture:
1. The word “sacrifice” means giving up something valued for the sake of something else regarded as more important. Even though the Israelites offered a lamb or another animal as a sacrifice, it was an outward sign that did not always reflect a heart for God.
Sacrifices were common to the first-century world. They had been part of religious practices from the time of Cain and Abel.
2. “Conformed” means to be in agreement with or molded into. As disciples of Jesus, we are not to follow the ways of the world because we have a higher calling— to become like Jesus.
3. “Transformed” is a change in a person’s nature, the way they think and the way they live.
A true disciple of the LORD offers their whole being as a living sacrifice to Him— totally living their life for Jesus, instead of following the ways of the world.
When we give our lives completely to God, we sacrifice our wants and desires for His will, allowing Him to transform us into the image of Jesus.
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. (2Co 3:18)
As disciples of Jesus, we do not follow the culture of this world, but we go to God’s Word and let His teachings mold our thinking into His will.
Paul tells us in Colossians 2:6: “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.”
Just as the caterpillar sheds its safe cocoon and bursts into a beautiful butterfly— totally different from the little creature that spun the cocoon— we, too, shed the old life of going along with what the world does and seek to do the will of Jesus.
Peter wrote in 2 Peter 1:4: “He has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.”
Long ago, David wrote in Psalm 119:15,16: “I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.” In verse 97 of that same chapter, we read: “Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.”
Then in verse 105, David tells us how God’s Word guides us: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
When feasting on the message God has given us becomes more important than spending time in the things the world offers, we will find we are transformed into the likeness of our Redeemer and LORD.
As we think about what is important to us, are we giving our lives completely to God to be holy and acceptable to Him?
Written by Beliza Kocev, Brazil Coordinator of Iron Rose Sister Ministries
My husband’s current wife is not the same woman he married. Now hold on, it seems like I am talking about two women, but they are both me! Let me explain: we are constantly changing and transforming. The things that happen to us (good or bad), the people we meet, what we hear, and truly anything with which we have contact have an influence on us.
Over time, I have become more sensitive and patient with some things, but also incisive and direct with others. My husband has also changed over time, and we are under the impression that many things that were challenging to us as a couple in the beginning are now smoother because we know each other and work better together, sharing a purpose. The truth is that whether we like it or not, we are gradually transformed, intentionally or spontaneously, and people around us notice these changes just as the rulers, elders, and teachers of the law in Jerusalem did. “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus” (Ac 4:13 NIV).
Peter and John were regular people, but because they were close to Jesus, they were changed into confident and courageous men, aware that the preaching of the gospel was the most important part of their existence, even if it put their lives at risk. From regular fishermen to fishers of men, communion with Jesus transformed them. It is not any different for us — the more time we spend with Christ, the more intense our transformation is.
Before this transformation can be noticed by the people around us, it must happen within us. It starts when we submit ourselves to Jesus, desiring to be more and more like Him. We can’t do it alone. Transformation is not simply a human effort; it is the Holy Spirit working in our hearts. By giving our hearts and lives to Jesus, the Spirit acts within us, changes our values, removes our vices, and makes us more and more like Christ.
Throughout this process, there is something very precious about contemplation. As already mentioned, everything around us has an influence on us and can help or hinder our transformation process— hence the importance of silencing the distractions around us and focusing on our relationship with God. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2Co 3:18). The word of God gives us the opportunity to know the wonders and power of the Creator, the character and teachings of Jesus, and the miracles and guidance of the Holy Spirit. We have so much to contemplate in order to be transformed.
In what area of your life do you need to grow and develop to be transformed into the likeness of Christ? What thorn do you need to remove to be more like Him?
In what area of your life are you striving to deepen or need someone to help you maintain your commitment to be transformed?
May we maintain the strength and enthusiasm to be transformed, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus until the day of His return. “…being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Php 1:6).
