In
Mark 12, Jesus was asked by one of his followers, “What is the greatest
commandment?” Jesus replied that we should love the Lord our God with all our
heart, soul, mind and strength. That is our greatest commandment. By following
that instruction we submit ourselves to every biblical principle.
Mark
12:30
“And
you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and
with all your mind and with all your strength.”
Romans 12:1-2 “I appeal to you
therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living
sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not
be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and
acceptable and perfect.”
Romans
12:1 was one of the first verses I ever memorized and has always held a special
place in my heart and mind. Paul is appealing to all believers, that in view of
the endless mercy God has granted us, we should respond by offering our bodies
as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. We are alive in Christ. 2nd
Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The
old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This living sacrifice is a life-giving sacrifice. It is meant to
bring us life and joy through offering every aspect of ourselves to Jesus. This
obedience and sacrifice is not rooted in a desire to follow the biblical law
but should be a joyous response to the unconditional love poured out for us
through grace. The hope and promise of eternal life spurs me on to love Christ
more each day, and that daily reflection on God’s sovereignty and work in my
life draws a spirit of worship out of me. Worship is bigger than singing,
praying and praising. I am moved into worship when I acknowledge God’s
authority and plan in my life. Worship is repositioning my heart to honor him
through my actions and words. This “living sacrifice” is our “spiritual
worship”. Paul presents the concept of spiritual worship as a broad, all-encompassing
giving of ourselves.
“Simply showing up on Sundays is not even close to worship. Neither
does singing songs with religious content pass for worship. What counts is the
posture of the soul involved, the open heart pouring forth its love toward God
and communion with him.”-John Elridge
Romans
12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of
your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is
good and acceptable and perfect.”
Paul
recognized the growing “evil” in the world and that without close attention,
our flesh-driven desires would take over and we would be conformed to this
world. Paul sees this natural course and provides a solution: to “be transformed by the renewal of mind.”
In order to fight this natural, fleshly inclination to conform to the patterns
of this world we must be transformed.
Paul lays out the process of spiritual
transformation with two directives. This renewal of mind is not limited to the
initial conversion of a believer in Jesus but refers to the continual growth
and daily renewal of the mind. This renewal of mind can take many different
forms but is just the first command of that verse and is quickly followed with “by testing you may discern what is the will
of God”. It is a great and holy thing to grow in faith, to become more
disciplined in spiritual matters and to grow intellectually with God but that
faith must be put into action and will undergo trials and temptations of
physical, emotional and certainly spiritual natures. Paul specifically chose
the word testing. One of my favorite
questions to ask people is “What makes your relationship with God special?” We
all connect with God in a unique and individual way, which is one of the most
incredible aspects of God. When I answer that question for myself there is no
doubt that my desire to grow intellectually and to grow in knowledge of God’s
word and to lean into that aspect of God is special to me. It is where I connect
with Him. It is where I find peace, rest and comfort. That’s just the introvert
and reflective side of me at play. But sometimes I struggle to put all of this
growth into action. Learning, discussing, reading and studying the bible and
meditating over biblical truth is a beneficial practice but what use is it if
these are not put into application, or put into practice. We can be transformed
by this renewal of mind but putting this faith, putting these truths into
practice can help us discern the will of God in each of our lives.
So
what now? If you have a desire to be transformed but don’t know how or you’ve
tried time and time again but that sin keeps coming back, then make room in
your life for God to move. Set aside time to connect with God in the way that
is special to you and Him. Allow a place in your life for the Holy Spirit to
step in and make plays. And if you don’t have the desire for transformation,
pray for it. This renewal of mind is
not a one time deal. It is a continual renewal. We are imperfect and will be
imperfect, but it is through our awesome God that we can have healing, and that
we can have faith and that we can have eternal life. Let’s continue to grow in
faith. Let’s pray for a desire to grow in ways that we don’t desire to grow.
Let’s pray for a desire to serve, for a desire to pray more, for a desire to
love better or for a desire to grow in knowledge of the Lord. Continue to meet
with God in the ways you connect with Him best. And continue to share the Gospel, and continue sharing the love of
Christ.
