Discipleship Devotional Study Guide – Becoming Like Christ – Day 25 – Romans 12:1-2 – Be Transformed – Growing As Disciples
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God–this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is–his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 (NIV)
Conformed Or Transformed?
I see that I have a very clear choice to make. What choice do you have to make? You’re asking me? Yes, I’m asking you. I would like to hear you describe the choice before you. I would even like to hear why you think you must make a choice, in the first place. You are correct, make no mistake about it. A choice is before you. You must make a choice. Doing nothing would be a choice, in a sense, isn’t that correct? Yes, that is correct. But, let’s talk more about the choice you want to make. You have no interest in doing nothing, is that correct? Yes, that is correct. I want to be transformed. I have no desire to remain as I am. I also no longer want to be conformed to the world. I don’t want my life to be conformed to the patterns and practices of the world. I don’t want to think what the world thinks. I don’t want to speak like the world speaks. I don’t want to do what the world does. If I do nothing at all, if I fail to make a different choice, I will continue to be conformed to the world. That outcome would be certain. That eventually would be sure. Why is that? Every day the world is bombarding me with its thoughts, values and practices. Without aggressive action and a different course, I will be no different than every other person that is living in this world. That is true.
What would your life look like if you were to be transformed? How is it possible for you to be transformed? I will tell you one thing. What’s that? I can’t transform myself. Why is that? Only you can change my heart. Only you can transform my mind. Only you can change the thoughts of my mind, words of my mouth and the actions of my life. You said you needed to take aggressive action and a different course. Yes, I did. What action will you take? What course will you choose? I will choose to follow you. I will give my life to you. I will submit myself fully to you. I will allow you to change my heart, transform my mind and guide my life. I will seek to know and do your will. I will desire to live a life that is fully pleasing to you. That is very good.
How will I transform you? What tool will I use to change your heart, transform your mind and guide your life? I know you will use all of life to transform me. Yes, I will. I also know that you will primarily use your word to help me to know and do your will. As I meet with you in your word, you will change my heart and transform my mind. Your word will give me new thoughts to think. Your word will give me new words to speak. Your word will give me new actions to take. Your word will help me to understand your good and pleasing and perfect will. You will use your word to help me to live a transformed life that is pleasing to you. Yes, I will.
Lord, for a very long time I sat passively and allowed my mind to be conformed to the patterns, practices and values of the world. Not anymore! Now, I want to know and do your will. Use your word to transform my mind so I can live a life that is pleasing to you. Amen
Key Question… How are you allowing God to use His word to change every one of your thoughts, words and actions?
Living It Out… Allow God to use His word to transform your mind so you can know and do His will.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that God will use His word to transform your mind so you can know and do His will.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how God has been using His word to transform your mind.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you allow God to use His word to transform your mind, so you can know and do His will.
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