Romans 12:1-3
I beseech 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 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. 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.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God…” For eleven chapters Paul has discussed the “mercies of God.” And after reading them, we all should be in awe of God’s salvation! We are justified and redeemed, and salvation is God’s to give… He gives it to whoever He wills, and He’s chosen us! But after savoring the sweet taste of salvation, it’s time to realize its ramifications.
For in light of God’s love and grace toward us; how then shall we live? And here’s the first step… “That you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” The Levitical sacrifice of the OT was a butchered carcass burned on the altar. But in the NT God no longer likes His sacrifices well done. Today, he orders them rare. He wants a sacrifice that’s alive. He wants a sacrifice that’s still kicking and mooing on the plate.
God is now into living sacrifices! Abraham’s son Isaac, was a living sacrifice. He willingly offered his body to God, and allowed old Abraham to bind him to the altar. Isaac had no plans of his own – nothing he had to do – no place he had to be. He was available to whatever the Father had in mind.
Once a little girl was sitting at the end of the row at church. When the offering plate passed – she took it, sat it down in the aisle, and stepped into the plate. An usher asked her, “Honey, what are you doing?” She replied, “I learned in Sunday School today that I’m supposed to give myself to God.” And she’s right! After all God has done for us, it’s the least we can do for Him. As Paul puts it, it’s “your reasonable service.” The 1st step in living for God is to give your body.
But the 2nd step is to renew your mind. Verse 2 tells us, “And do not be conformed to this world…” I love the Phillips translation of this verse, “Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold.” Resist the pressure to follow the pack – go with the flow. Remember that toilet paper goes with the flow, not Christians. Rather than blend in we need to stand out. A Christian is either a thermometer or a thermostat. Some believers are thermometers – they conform to room temperature. They try to “be cool” or gravitate toward “what’s hot.” Others dictate the life they live. Every one of us is in one of two categories:
Either we’re conformers or transformers. Right now you’re either trying to figure out what she’s wearing, what he’s driving, or how you can fit in and be cool—or, like J. B. Phillips, you’re saying, “I don’t care what the world is doing. I’m not going to let it squeeze me into its mold.”
Are you a thermometer—adjusting to the temperature of the culture, or are you a thermostat—changing the climate of the culture? If you are a conformer, a thermometer, you’re in for perpetual frustration because by the time you take the temperature and figure out what’s hot, by the time you change your look, or buy the car, or redo your house—the world will have moved on, leaving you out of style. And this is a great mystery to a lot of Christians.
They try to make their ministries relatable by analyzing what the world is doing in order to emulate it. But by the time they figure it out and implement it, the world has moved on. That’s why Christians are known for being out of style.
What’s the key? Don’t be a thermometer. Be a thermostat. Don’t be a conformer. Be a transformer. Say, “I’m in a whole different place than you are, world. I’m living for eternity. I’m preparing for heaven.”
The word translated “transformed” is the word for “metamorphosis.” Interestingly, it is used two other times in the New Testament—one to describe what happened to Jesus Christ on the Mount of Transfiguration when He began to shine (Matthew 17:2); and once to describe what happens to us when we see the Lord (2 Corinthians 3:18). God wants us to be a thermostat. Rather than register the temperature – we should be setting it! Don’t conform, be transformed. How are we transformed? How are we metamorphosed?
Paul continues, verse 2, “But be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Here’s the key to transformation… “renewing your mind.” Jesus changes our heart, but we have to change our way of thinking. It’s up to me to put on a new identity, and cultivate character… I put off the old logic, and sinful perceptions, and evil rationales, and ugly habits. To walk worthy of God’s mercies
1st: give your body,
2nd: renew your mind,
and then 3rd: humble your heart.
“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.” The word “soberly” means “in one’s right mind.” The idea is to be objective, honestly.
It’s seeing myself not as others see me, or even as I see me, but as God sees me.
“not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think“
Don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought,” warned Paul. If you do, the Lord has ways of bringing you back down to earth! God can use anyone to do His work. If you don’t think so, ask Balaam, better yet ask his Donkey! (Numbers 22:28)
So are you a Thermometer or a Thermostat–Only you can answer that.
Remember what the Lord Jesus said in Rev 3 to the church in Laodicea.
These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the, Beginning of the creation of God: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.
Don’t just take the temperature, change it by becoming a living sacrifice.
So give you body, renew your mind and humble your heart.
Be a Thermostat for your family, friends, co-workers, acquaintances, or anyone that crosses your path.
Amen
Victor Tafoya
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