Metamorphosis

Romans 12

Followers have a call to Morph! Throughout Romans 12, we see a visual metamorphosis where the Spirit of God transforms our lives by renewing of our mind, desires, and aspirations; but also, our actions and spiritual path. However, God cannot do this without total surrender to His Lordship; God cannot do this unless we give Him our whole body and our whole self. When we give ourselves to God in spiritual worship, we become a living sacrifice to the glory of God.

“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. 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.” Romans 12:1–2 (ESV)

Chip Ingram says, “Rather than being conformed to the patterns of this world, Christians are to be transformed by offering their bodies and minds to God. “Transform” is metamorpheo in Greek, from which we get “metamorphosis,” a change such as that of a caterpillar becoming a butterfly.” The same word described Christ’s transfiguration.

Dr. Tony Evans says, “To present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God means complete and total surrender. It’s the difference between what a chicken and a pig bring to a bacon-and-egg breakfast. The chicken contributes; the pig gives everything. What we often try to do with God is give an egg here and an egg there, but God wants sacrifice—the ham and bacon. Only total surrender can be called true worship.”

He goes on, “Notice that we aren’t conforming or transforming our minds. Someone else is. When God has all of us, and when the world has none of us, God does the work of renewing our confused minds. He brings our thoughts in line with his own so that we think God’s thoughts after him. God has a goal in this. Renewal allows him to merge his thoughts with ours so that he can bring his plans into our lives. He calls it the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. God has a purpose and a plan for each of our lives—one that finds us when we are fully surrendered.”

So, the Spirit of God transforms our life by renewing our mind, but He cannot do this unless we give Him our body. When we give ourselves to God in spiritual worship, we become a living sacrifice to the glory of God.

Living in a world indifferent and sometimes hostile to God, daily “changing the way we think” with a renewed mind through Bible study and a consistent prayer life is the Christian’s only safeguard to living in a culture that holds to relativistic views, inconsistencies in sound judgment and doctrines, and self-centralism. The mind and actions of those living today is not just post-modern and post-Christian; but self-actualized, self-centered and narcissistic with much fluidity mentally and physically.

We hear and conclude from circles and posts, “God is who I say He is, will do as I say He will, and will accept what I desire for Him to accept, or I will refuse to believe He exists.” This isn’t surrender to God or transformation into His image. In this passage, Paul reminds us to not think more highly of ourselves than we ought, or less highly, is sin, so have a proper estimate of who we really are and what God has given us.

Paul also uses this time in his letter to remind Christians to realistically assess the gifts God has given us, then use those gifts as a part of Christ’s body, the church; and he reminds us how to behave righteously toward each other. Christian relationships should be open and honest in cooperation, characterized by love, humility, patience, and generosity. We are part of the body of Christ with a ministry to fulfill, so we must do our part lovingly and joyfully to reflect Jesus and help expand His Kingdom.

“For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. 6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; 7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; 8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.” Romans 12:4-8 (ESV)

Paul also uses this time in his letter to remind us of the marks of a true Christ follower.

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.” Romans 12:9-16 (ESV)

If our lives reflect a godly life, we are bound to have enemies (Matt. 5:10–12; 2 Tim. 3:12); however, we must leave all judgment to the Lord. If we let the Lord have His way, He will use our enemies to build us and make us more like Christ.

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:17-21 (ESV)

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:12–15 (ESV)

Are you giving God whole body and our whole self. How is your spiritual act of worship? Is your mind being renewed day by day by His Word and time in prayer? Are you a living sacrifice to the glory of God? Are you seeking His mind and will or are you following after your own desires, paths, and pursuits?

Today, present our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God in complete and total surrender. Fully surrender your mind, body, and spirit to God and chase after the things He has prepared for you in Christ Jesus. And always seek unity with the body and refute conformity with the world.

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