Introduction:

Romans 12 shows us how to react if we are saved by amazing God’s grace. Notice the conjunction in the opening of verse 1, it says “Therefore.” It has an impact for us here because we have not seen this conjunction begin a chapter for a while.

In Chapters 1-11 of the book of Romans, we have been given sound doctrine. Then beginning with chapter 12, we are persuaded that the doctrine must have an effect in our Christian lives.

In Chapters 1-11 of the book of Romans, Paul developed some amazing grace doctrines such as depravity, grace, righteousness, justification, propitiation, imputation and election (including the election of the nation of Israel as a chosen nation and the election of Gentile individuals who will believe Christ who have the free will). These sound, serious and sacred doctrines are all parts of the grace that we received when we repented from our sins and believed Jesus Christ redemptive finished work and got saved.

Paul did not used in our text the normal word for mercy “eleeo” which is the outward manifestation of pity; it assumes need on the part of him who receives it, and adequate resources to meet the need on the part of him who shows mercy. This Greek noun “eleeo” for mercy generally signifies “to feel sympathy with the misery of another” especially the sympathy manifested physically in action. In the active voice it means “to have pity or mercy on, to show mercy This normal word “eleeo” is not used here.

This Greek noun "eleeo" for mercy is used:

1. Used of God - God is rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4 “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,”), and who provided salvation for all men (Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us”), salvation for Jews (Luke 1:72 “To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;”) and salvation for Gentiles (Romans 15:9 “And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy; as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the Gentiles,”). God is merciful to those who fear him (Luke 1:50 “And his mercy is on them that fear him”) that is why they are to pray boldly for mercy (Hebrews 4:16 “Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”). Besides, when God brings His salvation to its issue at the coming of Christ, the believers will obtain God’s mercy (Jude 1:21 “Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.”).

2. Used of men - Because God is merciful to the believers, so God would have the believers show mercy to one another (Matthew 9:13; Matthew 12:7; Matthew 23;23; Luke 10:37; James 2:13).

Notice our text in verse 1, the noun in Greek “oiktirmos” is what Paul used here for the word “mercies”. The plural noun “mercies” is to shows us that entire salvation by grace is wrought or rooted in many mercies of God. The word “oiktirmos” is one that includes the idea of helping the helpless and hopeless, but helping the hopeless specifically emphasizes pity, compassion for the ills of others, helping out of a heart of compassion.

This Greek noun “oiktirmos” for mercies is used:

1. Used of God. - God is the Father of mercies (II Corinthians 1:3 “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;”). God’s mercies are the ground upon which believers are to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, as their reasonable service (Romans 12:1).

We must see the value of God’s mercies “oiktirmos” that Paul is talking about, because under the law a person who despise the law, and do not give value but hate it died without compassion (Hebrews 10:28 “He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:”). So, mercies of God are very much important because without God’s mercy a man will die.

2. Used of men. - Because God is God’s mercies, the believers are to feel and exhibit compassions one toward another, Philippians 2:1 “If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,”; translated "compassions” in NASB; “sympathy” in ESV; and Colossians 3:12, “Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies,”; translated “a heart of compassion” in NASB.

The noun “eleeo” the normal used for mercy is used regarding many wonderful and good things that God had done to men because He feel mercy on them and have sympathy on them, on the other hand, the noun “oiktirmos” is what Paul used in our passage in Romans 12, describing who God is, He is the God of mercies and thus, because our God is the God of mercies, that mercies “oiktirmos”, Paul urged us to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, and be not conform with this world but we must renew our mind to prove what is the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.

By His mercy and compassion, God has done many things in our lives, that is why it is hard for us to even begin to count those unmeasurable, wonderful things. By God’s mercy He continually pour unto us His provisions, protection, and possessions. Above all, we can never ever calculate and cannot even comprehend our eternal salvation. All of these wonderful gracious things come from God’s compassion toward us.

God inspired Paul to write the book of Roman, as Paul urges the brethren to practically live according to God’s mercies.

Paul wants the brethren who are saved by God’s mercy through His grace to discover to fulfill the will of God in a good, acceptable and perfect way.

Notice the words in verse 1 “I beseech you”, translated “I urge you” NASB; “I appeal to you” ESV, Paul does not say “I command you” by the mercies of God. Paul is saying “I beseech you” on the basis of the mercies of God.

Regarding the order of the manifestation of God’s purposes of salvation, grace must go before mercy, that is why in each of the Apostolic salutations where these words occur, grace precedes mercy (I Timothy 1:2 “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.”; II Timothy 1:2 “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”; Titus 1:4 “Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.”). Now, Paul urging the brethren in presenting the bodies a living sacrifice comes after experiencing the mercy of God not before the mercy of God.

Whatever Christians can do for God is not based on their capability to do the works because anything we can do is based on the mercy of God that has extended to us. Whatsoever in God’s grace you want to do is based on the mercy of God (II Corinthians 4:1 “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;”).

Because God has saved us by His mercy (Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;”) and compassion, we should be constrained or motivated to live our lives in a way that we may know the will of God.

God revealed things based on His mercy and compassion in book of Romans such as being justified having declared us righteous by Christ’s imputed righteousness, have been redeemed from the curse of the law, we are dwelled and sealed by the Holy Spirit that we might live in Christ not in the flesh, as we are chosen before the foundation of the world, and nothing can separate us from the love of Christ and from God the Father.

All of these revealed precious doctrinal truths from the book of Romans come from God’s great mercy and unchanging compassion and had a greater effect reaction to us who are saved by God’s grace and mercy having desire to do the will of God for our lives.

If we notice in the book of Romans there are two parts of ourselves that we need to develop so that we can accomplish God’s will, that is our bodies and our minds.

I – MUST PRESENT OUR BODY AS A SACRIFICE – v.1

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service."

In order for us brethren know the will of God we have to present our bodies as a sacrifice.

The word “sacrifice” in Greek “thusia” primarily denotes the act of offering, purposely that which is offered and is used of Christ in His sacrifice on the cross.

Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

Hebrews 9:23 “but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices.”

It is used here in our text metaphorically in Romans 12:1 concerning the body of the believer presented to God as a living sacrifice. That means we are to view our bodies as an active offering and sacrifice to God. In the eyes and presence of God, ourselves are something that is very sacred and solemn.

Ways we are to present our bodies as a sacrifice to God:

A. A Body that is a living sacrifice

Romans 12:1 " ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,"

A living sacrifice is a contrast to the legal sacrifices, which except as they were slain, there were no sacrifices at all. However, the death of the anointed One, 'Lamb of God, taking away the sin of the world,' has swept all dead offering victims from the altar of God, as Jesus Christ the perfect sacrifice for our sins would make room for all the redeemed believers to offer a 'living sacrifices' to God who made "Him to be sin for us;" Hence, Believers can offer a sacrifice of praise of thanksgiving to God from their grateful hearts and every act of them as redeemed, constrained by the love of Christ, as they offered a sacrifice to God of a sweet-smelling savor (Hebrews 13:15 “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.”).

As long as God gives us breath to live having our relationship with God as His beloved children, we are to present ourselves alive and full of energy. Let us continue learning from His perfect ways, continue growing in His Word, and continue developing in His perfect will. God does not want our spiritual life to be defective, stagnant and dead. We must regularly examine ourselves to be sure that we are alive, hot and not cold dead in our Christian walk with God. God do not want us to be lukewarm Christian (Revelation 3:14-19 “And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; ¹⁵I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. ¹⁶So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. ¹⁷Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: ¹⁸I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. ¹⁹As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.”). Sometimes we are complacent, doing nothing at all and not knowing that God wants to spue us out. Comfortable of just being saved, sat, and satisfied. May the hot breadth of God blow upon us and make us a living sacrifice.

We need to rise up from our sleepy, pale, paralyzed spiritual life condition if we are to fulfill the will of God. If we will not check our spiritual heart in our relationship with God, there is a tendency for us just to go with the routinary flow of life and miss out what life could have been. There is a tendency we could have missed the life that God intended for us personally. Be fiery, energetic, hot, zealous in serving and worshipping God.

B. A Body that is a Holy sacrifice

Romans 12:1 " ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,"

As the Levitical offering victims, when offered without blemish to God, the offering was regarded as holy, likewise every believer 'yielding themselves to God as those that are alive from the dead, and their members as instruments of righteousness unto God (Romans 6:10 -13 “For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. ¹¹Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. ¹²Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. ¹³Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.”),' and are, in God’s eyes, not ritually but in reality "holy," and so “acceptable”, well pleasing unto God.

The adjective “holy” is used here in Greek “Hagios” related to a noun “hagiasmos” and to a noun “hagiosune” which both are from the same root as hagnos (found in hazo, "to honor or to revere").

The word holy “hagios” is a very interesting word. The word “hagios” fundamentally signifies “separated” (among the Greeks, dedicated to the false gods) and hence in Scripture in has a moral and spiritual significance, separated form sin and therefore consecrated to God, sacred.

When Paul said we have to present our bodies as a “holy sacrifice” it means we are to have a highest reverence for God that is willing to set ourselves apart unto Him by pursuing what is pure and righteous. If a believer is to accomplish the will of God, that believer must have a high and holy view of who God is and then desire what is pure and righteous.

The Greek noun “hagiasmos” translated holiness in (Romans 6:19 “yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.”, Romans 6:22 “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness,”; I Thessalonians 4:7 “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.”; I Timothy 2:15 “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”; Hebrews 12:14 “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:”), This Greek noun “hagiasmos” is always rendered "sanctification". Hence, It signifies separation to God (I Corinthians 1:30 “ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:”; 2 Thessalonians 2:13 “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”; I Peter 1:2 “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience”). "Sanctification" is therefore is predetermined by God for believer’s state, into which in grace God calls them, and in which they begin their Christian course and so pursue it. Hence, they are called "saints" (hagioi).

The other related Greek noun “hagiosune” denotes the manifestation of “holiness” in personal conduct.

This is used of the absolute “holiness” of Christ in the days of His flesh (Romans 1:4 “the spirit of holiness”), which distinguished Christ from all merely human beings. This Greek noun “hagiosune” also used of the believers that are to be “perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (II Corinthians 7:1 “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.”), so that the believers may be found “unblameable in holiness” in the Parousia of Christ (I Thessalonians 3:13 “To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.”). We see in this lesson the perfect character in the case of the Lord Jesus, we see growing character toward perfection in the case of the Christian (progressive sanctification).

To know the will of God, the believers are required to present themselves a “holy” in Greek adjective “hagios” G40 (vines bible dictionary) means to set apart for God, holy, sacred. It signifies to be separated unto God, living in progressive sanctification, as a saints.

C. A Body that is an acceptable sacrifice

Romans 12:1 “ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,^”

The adjective word here “acceptable” in Greek “euarestos” from “eu” means “well” and “arestos” means “pleasing” and is rendered “acceptable” in Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”; Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”; Romans 14:18 “For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.”; Ephesians 5:10 “Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.” and also rendered “accepted” in II Corinthians 5:9 “Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.”).

The Levitical offerings merely with appointed symbols of spiritual ideas were pleasing to God, however when that is offered by those who were void of the character which they represented, were hateful to God, (Isaiah 1:13 “Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.”; Isaiah 66:3 “He that killeth an ox is as if he slew a man; he that sacrificeth a lamb, as if he cut off a dog's neck; he that offereth an oblation, as if he offered swine's blood; he that burneth incense, as if he blessed an idol. Yea, they have chosen their own ways, and their soul delighteth in their abominations.”).

On the other hand, the believers in their renewed character and endeared relationship to God through His Son Jesus Christ are to objects of God’s pleasure, or acceptable unto God because the believers presenting to God their bodies a living and holy sacrifice.

An acceptable sacrifice to God is one that pleases God and in order for it to please God, it must be consistent with the Word of God.

It is impossible to ever accomplish the will of God without church. Unless a believer is serious about the church which God established and serious attending to hear the Word of God, a believer cannot please God. Remember, the Church is God’s church, and the church is His body. We must present our body acceptable to God by coming to church.

ILLUSTRATION: A plane pilot is constantly checking the instrument panel to make sure he is flying the right direction. The same is true in the case of the believer, discipline is necessary to get to the place where someone pleases God. The believer must regularly continually check the bible to know if himself is moving in the right direction as a living sacrifice, holy sacrifice and an acceptable sacrifice.

II – MUST NOT CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD – v.2a

Romans 12:2a “And be not conformed to this world:”

Another requirement that we need to develop to know the will of God is that we are not to be conformed to this world.

The phrase “be not conformed to this world” means fashion not yourselves according to the pattern of this world.

The word here “conformed” in Greek adjective “suschematizo” (G4964) or “(syschēmatizesthe) means to fashion or shape one thing like another. The word “conform” “suschematizo” is rare word. The word conformed “suschematizo” could not be used of inward transformation.

It is used and is translated “fashioned”, “fashioning” in I Peter 1:14 “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts”. The verb “fashioning” means to fashion yourself after something by trying to be like or near to that something which is transitory, changeable, unstable. The verb “summorphizo” is to make like form with another person or thing, to render like to that which is essential in character therefore complete or durable, and that is found in Philippians 3:10 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;” That means “becoming conformed” or “growing into conformity” to the death of Christ. But in our text in Romans 12, the verb suggests be not conformed or not becoming conformed or not growing into conformity with the world. The verb "do not be conformed" "summorphizo" is a pretense tense, middle voice and imperative mood verb. Therefore, not to conform to this world is a command that must be applied continually to the believer's life.

What to do to “not conformed to this world”:

1. Display in our lives continually the pattern of not conforming to the world (Present tense)

The verb “do not be conformed” “summorphizo” is a pretense tense, middle voice and imperative mood verb. Therefore, not to conform to this world is a command that must be applied continually to the believer's life.

A continual pattern of our daily walk with Christ. May the world see Christ in you. (Matthew 5:16)

Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

2. Decision to make a choice of ourselves not to conform to this world. (Middle voice).

We need to make a choice in and of ourselves. We need to strongly stand against the world.

We need to make a choice not to compromise (Joshua challenge Israel to choose – Joshua 24:15)

Joshua 24:15 “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”

Practically this means we must be careful what we read and watch (Psalm 119:37 “Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity;”; Job 1:1“I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid?”; Psalm 101:3 “I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes:”). We must not be afraid to be different (to be like Christ (John 15:18, 19, 20, 21 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ¹⁹If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.²⁰Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.²¹But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.”). No soldier engaged in active duty entangles himself with the everyday affairs of this life. (II Timothy 2:4 “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”) You can’t be in God's army and be a civilian. You can't serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24 “No man can serve two masters: …Ye cannot serve God and mammon.”). As citizens of heaven (Philippians 3:20 “For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:”) we are to “set [our] mind on things above, not on the things that are on the earth" (Colossians 3:1-2 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. ²Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”).

3. Determination to obey God’s command not to conform to this world. (Imperative Mood).

A command of God. Not to conform to this world is not a suggestion, neither an option or suggestion but it is a command.

A command to not unequally yoke together with unbelievers – II Corinthians 6:14-18 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ¹⁵And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? ¹⁶And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
A command to separate – II Corinthians 6:17-18 “Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. ¹⁸And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
A command not to love the world – I John 2:15-17 “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. ¹⁶For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ¹⁷And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever.”
A command not to conform with this world – Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
A command not to be a friend of the world – James 4:4 "Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”

To accomplish the will of God for our lives, we must obey the command not to conform with this world.

God says if you want to know My will, don’t spend your time trying to look like, be like or act like the people of this world or of this age.

It is interesting that the word “world” (1658) (aion [word study]) better rendered as the age. It refers to the present sinful age which John reminds us lies in the power of the evil one (I John 5:19 “the whole world lieth in wickedness.”), Satan himself, who Paul describes as “the god of this world (aion)" (II Corinthians 4:4 “the gpd of this world”). This present evil age is contrasted with the age to come (Matthew 12:32 “in the world to come.”).

The word “world” (age) here covers two areas that believers must not conform with the world:

The way and direction of 1.) what the world has always been and 2.) what the present world is like.

This includes all the time and all ages which would be applicable for any believer at any time in the age in which they live.

Now, the world as "as used here means the society or system that man has built in order to make himself happy. without God. It is a kingdom that is antagonistic to God led by he god and prince of this world is Satan (II Corinthians 4:4 “the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, “; John 12:31 ”shall the prince of this world be cast out.”; John14:30 “for the prince of this world cometh”; John 16:11 “because the prince of this world is judged.”. All unconverted people are his subjects. Satan seeks to attract and hold people through the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (I John 2:16 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”). The world has its own politics, art, music, religion, amusements, thought-patterns, and lifestyles, and the world seeks to get everyone to conform to its culture and customs. The world hates nonconformists—like Christ and His followers. Christ died to deliver us from this world. The world is crucified to us, and we are crucified to the world (Galatians 6:14 “in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”. It would be absolute disloyalty to the Lord for believers to love the world. Anyone who loves the world is an enemy of God (James 4:4 “whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.”). Believers are not of the world any more than Christ is of the world (John 17:16 “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.”). However, they are sent into the world to testify that its works are evil and that salvation is available to all who put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (I (John 4:14 “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”; John 7:7 “The world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of it, that the works thereof are evil.”). This blind, evil and God hating world led by Satan is what Paul is urging the brethren “not to conform.”

III – MUST BE TRANSFORMED BY RENEWAL OF YOUR MIND – v.2b

Romans 12:2b “but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,”

Third requirement that we need to develop to accomplish the will of God is that we are to be transformed by mind renewal.

As the second requirement says “be not conformed to this world”, but our minds must be transformed by the Word.

The opposite of being conformed to this world is being transformed by the renewing of your mind. The battle ground between an evil conformity and a good transformation is within the mind of the believer.

Reasons why our minds need to be conformed and transformed by the Word of God:

1. Design of God – Formation of man in the likeness and image of God

2. Deformation of the devil (deforming man by sin) - Misinformation of the devil in our minds

3. Duplicating of the world - Conformation of the world with our mind

4. Directing of Education – Information by knowledge of education to our mind

5. Deviating of Religion - Preformation of Religion in our mind

6. Devastating of Society – Reformation of Society in our mind

7. Dominating of the Flesh - Deformation of the flesh against your mind

8. Decorating of the Grace - - Transformation of the God’s grace in your mind

The word “be ye transformed” “metamorphousthe” is in continuous tenses or in a present tense signifying that this is not a onetime event, not a single experience but a transformation that is progressively realized, which indicate a gradual process which describes the believers being transformed into the same image of Christ in all of the Lord moral excellencies. Every believer must be patient because God is not finished with him/her yet. Now the word “transform” (metamorphousthe) is the word from which we get our English word metamorphosis. The word means to transform or transfigure oneself in appearance and fashion. This happens when there is a continual renewal of mind on the Word of God.

And that “transformed” is Passive Voice which indicates that this process of change is being performed by an outside force, the Holy Spirit. II Corinthians 3:18 “But we all…changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”. God's Word and not a change produced alone by our self-effort. We must be (passive) transformed by God, trusting Him to do in and through us what only His Spirit can accomplish.

"Be transformed" not only in a present tense but it is in the imperative mood (command), which indicates that believers have some responsibility in this transformation. How so? We are to have tender hearts and obedient, submissive wills so that we might allow the Spirit to do His work within our hearts and lives, and not quench, grieve or resist Him. Therefore, to be transform is a command for the believer to continually transformed.

The word in verse 2 “transformed” in Greek “metamorphousthe” means to change into another form, comes from origin “meta”, implying change, and “morphe”, "form:".

The word “transformed” or “metamorphousthe” is found 4x in the New Testament and is translated twice as transfigured and twice as transformed.

The word “metamorphousthe is used of:

1. Christ’s transfiguration” (Matthew 17:2 “And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his

raiment was white as the light.”; Mark 9:2 “he was transfigured before them.”) On the Mount of Transfiguration the glory which was Jesus' essential and eternal inner divine nature, shone outward, for a brief time and to a limited degree.

2. Believers (Romans 12:2 “be ye transformed”), The phrase "be ye transformed," the obligation being to undergo a

complete change which, under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct; morphe emphasized on the inward change, schema emphasized on the outward change. To be transformed describes a change on the outside that comes from the inside. Paul is calling for an outward change in the character and conduct of the believer, which is to correspond with his or her inward spiritual condition. The believer's inner redeemed divine nature is to continually be manifest outwardly in our daily thoughts, words and deeds.

God wants the believer’s mind to transform from the mind that he has before they got saved into a mind that was transformed in the way of thinking that conforms to God’s Word.

The word in verse 2 “Your “mind”. Mind (3563) (nous) is the control center of your attitudes, thoughts, feelings, and actions. Simply stated, the mind is the seat of understanding. The nous can be fleshly (Colossians 2:18 “puffed up by his fleshly mind,:”) where flesh denotes the principle of evil which dominates fallen man. Nous can signify the new nature which belongs to the believer by reason of his new birth, for now we have the mind (nous) of Christ. (1 Corinthians 2:16 “we have the mind of Christ.”).

Paul says that God wants your mind because He knows the power of the mind and wants it for Himself. He wants you to think His thoughts. As you do, your mind will be renewed. As your mind is renewed, you will be able to fulfill His will for your life.

How does this supernatural mind renewal take place? As the believer chooses to saturate his or her mind with the abiding seed, the living and active Word of God, the Spirit progressively "renovates" our mind so that the way we see, think and feel lines up more and more with the mind of God. The mind renewed by God suited to discern God’s will because distractions are removed that would hinder such discernment.

A. W. Tozer when speaking of the Bible once said "Read it much, read it often, brood over it, think over it, meditate over it”—meditate on the Word of God Day and night. When you are awake at night, think of a helpful verse.

If your mind is to be renewed "this book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night (meditation is the same Hebrew word used in Psalm 1:2 “in his law doth he meditate day and night.”), so that you may be careful to do according to ALL that is written in it , for then you will make your way prosperous (referring to spiritual wealth not necessarily financial prosperity) and then you will have success" (because your mind is renewed) (Joshua 1:8 “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.”).

The word in verse 2, “that ye may prove” talks about the ability to test and prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God begins with having a renewed mind. Paul assures us that this is not the great risk so many fear. Paul is saying in essence "Trust God's will to be good (Proverbs 3:5-6), test your confidence by doing God's will and you will discover God's way truly is good, pleasing and perfect".

The words in verse 2, “good, acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

1. agathos - The will of God is identified with what is agathos, good in the moral sense or beneficial in its effect.

The word “agathos” or “good” used in Romans, 19 times out of 102 (Romans 2:7, 10; Romans 3:8; Romans 5:7; Romans 7:12, 13, 18, 19; Romans 8:28; Romans 9:11; Romans 10:15; Romans 12:2, 9, 21; Romans 13:3, 4; Romans 14:16; Romans 15:2; Romans 16:19). Much of the difficulty we experience about submitting to the will of God would disappear if once we could see clearly that the "character" of God's will is always agathos or good and beneficial in its effect! We struggle and struggle in vain to submit to a will that we do not believe to be good, but when we see that it is good, we submit to it with delight. We want it to be accomplished.

2. euarestos – The will of God is identified that is well pleasing to God. The Greek “euarestos” from “eu” means well

and “arestos” means pleasing, desirable, proper, fit, agreeable from “aresko” which means to please or be pleasing, acceptable to. So, acceptable means that which causes someone to be pleased.

The word “euarestos” is used 9x in 9 verses in NASB. In NASB translation, acceptable 3x; pleasing 2x; well-pleasing 3x, which is pleasing 1x. (Romans 12:1, Romans 12:2; Romans 14:18; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 5:10; Philippians 4:18; Colossians 3:20; Titus 2:9; Hebrews 13:21).

3. Teleios – The will of God is identified as ethically adequate or complete. From telos means goal) an adjective which

describes some entity which is finished, brought to its end, lacking nothing necessary for completeness. Teleios includes the ideas of having no defect whatsoever and of having reached the goal, purpose or end which was originally intended. It is often translated "mature" or "complete". It is used of God (Matthew 5:48 “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”). It is also used of the complete revelation of God’s will (Romans 12:2 “perfect will of God”) and also used in God’s ways in the completed Scriptures or in the hereafter (I Corinthians 13:10 “But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”).

The word Teleios is used 19x in 17 verses of NASB translation. The term “complete” 2x, “mature” 4x, “more perfect” 1 time, “perfect” 12x. (Matthew 5:48; Matthew 19:21; Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 2:6; I Corinthians 13:10; I Corinthians 14:20; Ephesians 4:13; Philippians 3:15; Colossians 1:28; Colossians 4:12; Hebrews 5:14; Hebrews 9:11; James 1:4, 17, 25; James 3:2; I John 4:18).

The phrase in verse 2 “perfect will of God” simply means the will of God is perfect, in that it lacks nothing for completeness (except me to fulfill it) and it achieves the desired end or goal that God had originally intended. God's "perfect" will is all that we need to lead a life that is holy and wholly satisfying (enabled by the Holy Spirit to God we daily surrender and obey) and by which we become mature and complete in Christ (Colossians 1:28 “that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:”).

The will of God as exhibited in God’s Word is perfect. Nothing can be added to God’s Word, nothing can be taken from God’s Word.

Teleios is used in describing Noah.

Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations,” Translated “blameless” NASB

Teleios is used in Solomon’s prayer for the hearts of the people toward God

I Kings 8:61 “Let your heart therefore be perfect with the Lord our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.” Translated “wholly devoted” NASB

Teleios is used of David’s prayer for Solomon was that he would serve God with a whole heart”

I Chronicles 28:9 “Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: “Translated “whole heart” NASB

No one discovers these characteristics (agathos, euarestos, teleios) because these characteristics can be identified as the will of God unless he is transformed from the world by the renewing of his mind by the Holy Spirit.

In order for the brethren to prove what is that good in moral sense and beneficial (agathos) , acceptable well pleasing to God (euarestos), perfect nothing lacking for completeness (teleios) will of God, Paul urged them to do the three requirements, that is to present their bodies a living sacrifice, holy sacrifice, acceptable sacrifice; then be not conformed to this world, and then be transformed by the renewal of mind. Amen!