BE YE TRANSFORMED (By the renewing of your mind.)

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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." Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)


The book of Romans is the foundation of Christian teaching. It contains the ABC's & 123's of Christian education. The theme of the book is sin, God's wrath against sin, and righteousness through faith as the way to be justified.

In chapter 12 the Apostle Paul pleaded with the Roman Christians because of his Godly compassion and urged them to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice to God. He said it was logical or reasonable that this was their sacred service as believers.

He further said, in offering their bodies this way, they had to stop fashioning or conforming their minds and their character after the pattern that the world set. He urged them to be 'transformed' (Greek-METAMORPHOO, pronounced me-tä-mor-fo'-ō) or to undergo a complete metamorphosis. The first thing I thought about when I read this part of the scripture was the process of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly. My daughter Samara has a book about this. Although its in Japanese, the picture shows the stages of a physical transformation.

Paul continued by saying that the metamorphosis had to be "by the renewing of your mind". Let us examine the Greek. The Greek word translated 'renewing' is ANAKAINOSIS, pronounced ä-nä-kī'-nō-sēs. It literally refers to a complete change for the better. The Greek word translated 'mind' is NOUS, pronounced nü's. It literally refers to the faculties of perceiving and understanding as well as those of feeling, judging calmly and impartially, and determining thoughts, feelings, purposes and desires. He was saying that the Roman Christians must completely change all of these.

From birth (because of sin) we have learned ways of perceiving, understanding, feeling, judging and determining that are contrary to God's standard. When we became believers we decided that we wanted a better way.

Paul spoke to the Roman Christians then and he is speaking to us now. He is urging us to completely change our minds. He gives reasons. He said this is the only way to prove or test and examine or scrutinize the good, acceptable and perfect will of God and recognize that it is genuine. Once we prove it we will know it, we will recognize that it is genuine and will begin the process to renew our minds. This is the start of the mental transformation. I beseech you therefore my friends, by the mercies of God, be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds.

God Bless You!

P.S.
Thanks Jodi! ^_^