I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)
Second guessing here is likely to be a serious mistake!
Be not conformed to this world; Romans 12:1. Two options of meaning…
First, it can be viewed as a decision to avoid “becoming conformed.” To illustrate: you do not as a rule, wear bow ties, but you are considering wearing one for a special occasion. You are told wearing bow ties would be “conforming to this world”. You decide against the tie to take the advice to escape being “conformed to this world”. That is an accepted view of the meaning of the “be not conformed” statement and it can include anything that is seen as “not approved”.
Second, it can be viewed as a decision to change from “being conformed.” The heart of this paper follows in this paragraph: what if our relationship to others, all others, has never become anything better than our “humanity”? We do what comes naturally; we “walk as men,” because we are already “conformed to this world.” All of Romans 12 is a “Stop, Look and Listen!” appeal from the heart of Paul. Verses 1-2 are the appeal; the remainder of the chapter defines the response to that appeal.
Without verses 3 thru 21, “be not conformed to this world” is left without explanation. Opinions are still opinions. Out of its context, the “be not conformed” concept can have multiple meanings, resulting in confusion, controversy and alienation. That being true, it cannot be our choice to neglect any of Romans 12. So starting with Verse 1 and 2…
“I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of god that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto god, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable and perfect will of God. “ (Romans 12:1-2)
“Beseech”, an entreaty, a plea, not a command or even an exhortation, made to Paul’s “brethren” in Rome. They are brethren to Paul, but also to each other, possessing the “new creature” image of the Lord who made them “brethren.” The “mercies of god” for all mankind, defined and detailed in Romans 11 has also become the very personal experience and blessing to each of these “brethren”. It is the power and wonder of that experience to which Paul connects and validates his plea to them, the chapter numbers change, the message does not. If they are not moved by the “mercies of god”, they will not be moved and neither shall we.
On what other basis could Paul appeal to them, and to us, to “present” their “bodies” a “living sacrifice” (“present”= a giving and a “gift” shown as a “sacrifice”) holy, acceptable to god, and viewed as “reasonable” service? The “mercies of god” have bestowed the only motivation for, and the only value of, our “sacrifice.”
Paul makes this appeal as though none of this has yet happened to these “brethren.” We know however, from Romans 16, that this could be true only for those who remain in a state of spiritual immaturity, at varying stages for each one. But, the entire letter has to be viewed as a spiritual updating for all, impacting each at a different level of growth both in knowledge and in life commitment. With this consideration the plea “be not conformed to this world” will carry a different weight for all. And, “…be transformed by the renewing of your mind” must be seen in that way also.
Verses three thru eight bring to light the identity and relationship of these “brethren” making the “transformed mind” an absolute, required for both understanding and response. The heart of Romans twelve…
For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (Romans 12:3-5)
Thinking of ourselves as “members one of another” is not our human nature. We have a few close friends and our families but beyond that it is a “live and let live” world, “letting live” a fragile and changeable attitude. Here, Paul tells us that other believers out of the sphere of our personal circle of friends are our fellow members of a spiritual body which does not belong to us, we belong to it; it is Christ’s body. Naturally speaking, if my left wrist is broken, my right arm shares the pain and does everything possible to relieve it. I do not require a “transformed” mind for this. For a “not conformed to this world” relationship in the body of Christ, there has to be an infusion and function called a “transformed mind” for anything near the perfect will of god to be proven. How do we know we have that transformed mind and we are not living in our natural “conformed to this world” state? The check list is the remainder of Romans 12. First, gifts of grace in the functions of this spiritual body…
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)
As the needs change in the world variety of cultures, the gifts will respond to need.
Verses nine to twenty-one present a word picture of the “transformed mind.” First, in the checklist, we are to love purely, honestly, and without hypocrisy. This requires a break from our endowed human conformity. If this not what we do, in relationships, we remain “conformed” to this world. Pure love, without hypocrisy requires transformation…
- Let love be without hypocrisy.
- Abhor what is evil.
- Cling to what is good.
- Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;
- not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;
- rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
- distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
- Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
- Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
- Be of the same mind toward one another.
- Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble.
- Do not be wise in your own opinion.
- Repay no one evil for evil.
- Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
- If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
- Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”
- Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
There is nothing in these statements foggy, mysterious or uncertain. They are clear and straightforward in describing what we will be and what we will do when not “conformed to this world”. Hermit status will not help—some obnoxious professing Christian will find us. If there is anything in this that addresses our attire it would be the response to “put you on the lord Jesus Christ.”
Can we anticipate the pleasure of preaching this to others once we have arrived? Paul would endorse that as long as the preaching is of this nature…
I’d rather see a sermon, than hear one any day;
I ‘d rather one should walk with me, than merely tell the way.
The eye is a better pupil and more willing than the ear.
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.
And the best of all the preachers are those who live their creeds.
For, to see good put in action is what everybody needs.
I soon can learn to do it, if you’ll let me see it done,
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue may too fast run.
And, the lecture you deliver; may be very wise and true,
But I ‘d rather get my lessons by observing what you do.
For I might misunderstand you and the high advice you give,
but there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.
– Edgar A. Guest, cpw. 1989 l-80
The wonder of the “mercies of God and the transformation of mind he brings to us, becomes our superabundant empowerment to escape “conformity to this world” in both the way we value each other and our demonstration of the “perfect will of God” for our lives together. We are freed to love each other. Won’t you please take my hand? I reach out to you!
By James Cox