“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you PRESENT your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed (suschematizo: adapt to the same pattern) to this world, but be transformed (metamorphoō: to be changed into another form) by the renewing of your mind, that you may PROVE what is that good and acceptable and PERFECT will of God.” (Rom. 12:1-2)
“presenting our bodies” was Paul’s way of explaining that as a redeemed people AIDAN, we surrender our lives BACK TO JESUS in thanksgiving for all He has done. For you see Jesus offered Himself as a onetime, for all time, single sacrifice and atoned for all our sin. There is NOTHING we can add to this. The only thing to “do” is to believe and trust in Him. “Trust in the LORD with ALL your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in ALL you do, and He will SHOW YOU which path to take.” (Pro. 3:5-6)
Now, what about this conforming and being transformed? Conforming to someone means that we try to be just like they are. The Greek word says we adapt to the SAME PATTERN as them. So we’re just a part of the crowed. Paul says we want to be “transformed by the renewing of our mind.” The Greek word is metamorphoō it means we are changed into ANOTHER FORM, we’re not the same. It’s like when a caterpillar changes to a butterfly or tadpole changes to a frog, their FORM is changed! I was a foul mouthed, ill-tempered and very stubborn person and the Lord transformed me. “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW.” (2 Corin. 5:17)
Your Personal Pastor -Papa…