Derek Smith
Lead Pastor
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. 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.
It seems as though every person you talk to these days is discontented. It appears everyone wants a different life, a total transformation. Paul talks about transformation in Romans 12, but he is not talking about being discontented with your existence. He’s talking about being content in God’s Presence. The word transformed here in the Greek is the word from which we get our word Metamorphosis. In metamorphosis the caterpillar goes into the cocoon and emerges weeks later a beautiful butterfly. So too, because of the power of the gospel and the person of Christ, we can be transformed into something beautiful for His glory. Our lives can be completely transformed from sin and shame to a glorious display of beauty. How does this happen? First we have to DIE TO OURSELVES. Paul writes here we must “present our bodies as a living sacrifice” to God. Secondly, we must be DEVOTED TO GOD’S PROMISES. When we renew our mind to what God says we remember our new identity in Him. It is this renewal of our mind to God’s Word and who we are in Christ that brings transformation. Would you like an extreme makeover today? Would you like a total transformation? Want to be a better, more godly person? Make a cocoon with Jesus. Die to yourself, seek the Lord, and meditate on His promises. This is the way to total transformation by the Spirit of God.