Romans 12:1-2 says this,
“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.”
First, notice that it is your responsibility to present your body to God. God will not do it for you. You have to do it. But Scripture doesn’t leave us there. We are shown how we are to do that in verse 2 above.
When it says, Do not be conformed, that word ‘conform’ means to be pressed into a mold by outward pressures. Instead of being conformed we are told to be transformed. That is actually the Greek word from which we get our English word ‘metamorphosis”. It means to let what is on the inside come to the outside.
One day many years ago, my kids came home from school with some silk worms. We were supposed to put them in a box and feed them mulberry leaves. I couldn’t believe how many leaves these worms ate! They ate leaves until they turned a translucent green!
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Romans 12:1-2 says this,
“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.”
First, notice that it is your responsibility to present your body to God. God will not do it for you. You have to do it. But Scripture doesn’t leave us there. We are shown how we are to do that in verse 2 above.
When it says, Do not be conformed, that word ‘conform’ means to be pressed into a mold by outward pressures. Instead of being conformed we are told to be transformed. That is actually the Greek word from which we get our English word ‘metamorphosis”. It means to let what is on the inside come to the outside.
One day many years ago, my kids came home from school with some silk worms. We were supposed to put them in a box and feed them mulberry leaves. I couldn’t believe how many leaves these worms ate! They ate leaves until they turned a translucent green!
Then they wove cocoons and went through a metamorphosis. They went from being these ugly ol’ fat green transparent worms, to the most beautiful fuzzy huge white moths. It was amazing to see!
My friend, you renew your mind by feeding on God’s Word, the same way that those silk worms fed on the mulberry leaves. As you are filled with His truth, it causes a metamorphosis to take place. It brings what is on the inside—God’s nature—to the outside.
So feed on God’s Word and watch your life be transformed.
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Bayless Conley is a pastor and speaker known for his clear presentation of the Gospel and the way he applies the life-changing truth of God's Word to everyday life. It's this same truth that radically turned his life around when a 12-year-old boy shared the Gospel with him many years ago.
Bayless' unique background and remarkable testimony have enabled him to reach a diverse audience of people globally. In 1979, God called Bayless to share His Word on television, and in 1984, the broadcast was launched. Today, the Answers with Bayless Conley broadcast is impacting lives around the world in numerous languages.
Bayless, with his wife Janet, pastors Cottonwood Church, a thriving nondenominational church located in Orange County, California. Bayless is the author of numerous books and booklets including Cast Down But Not Destroyed, Footprints of Faith, How to Pray, Turning Mistakes into Miracles, There Is Always Hope, and a 365-day devotional called Answers for Each Day.