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“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.  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” (Rom. 12:1-2).
Transformed!  What does it mean?  Transformed means changed.  But, changed in what way?  The apostle Paul indicates the power of the Word of God to change the human mind and bring it into conformity with God’s expressed Will.  There are three aspects to transformation that I would ask you to consider.
First, we must know God and His truth.  Truth is synonymous with the Word of God.  John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”  Truth is that which conforms to reality as God defines reality.  The mind of man consists of his beliefs, attitudes, expectations, and  perceptions.  Each of these entities must be brought into harmony with God’s Word in order to bring about the change that renews the mind and prepares the heart for service to God.  We do not construct our own truth.  Truth is objective, knowable, and believable.  The Gospel of Jesus Christ changes lives because the truth molds us after God’s purposes, precepts and promises.  We do not change God’s Word to fit our lifestyles.  We change our lifestyles to conform to His Will.  Conformity to the world is forbidden.  We must not allow the culture in which we live determine our mindset or worldview.  Our worldview must be shaped by God’s truth.  If we do not believe the truth, the only alternative is to accept a lie.  Lies damn the soul (II Thess. 2:11-12).  Truth sets us free (John 8:32).  The choice is freedom in Christ or bondage in unrighteousness.
Second, we need transparency.  Transparency is self-awareness that leads to honesty with ourselves.  We must know ourselves in relationship with God.  We must realize our sinful condition before God.  We must understand (a function of the mind) what sin is and what sin does.  God’s Word reveals sin (it is a transgression of God’s law-I John 3:4).  God’s law reveals the penalty for sin.  In Romans 6:23, Paul writes, “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”   Death, here,  is spiritual death or eternal separation from God.  The Gospel gives the remedy for sin.  Through the death of Jesus Christ, we have redemption.  The blood of Christ is sufficient to take away our sins.  When we are baptized into Christ, our sins are washed away (Acts 22:16).  Spiritual renewal follows redemption.  This is real change.
Third, we must realize that we are accountable to God.  Accountability comes into focus when we learn that we will stand before the judgment seat of Christ in the last day.  “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad” (II Corinthians 5:10).  The unrighteous will surely face the wrath of God.  Through Jesus Christ, we are saved from wrath (Rom. 5:8-9).  The Gospel reveals God’s love and God’s wrath (His righteousness in judicial action).  We must know our eternal destiny by understanding our spiritual status before God.  If our soul is in jeopardy, surely we would seek God’s mercy to avoid His wrath.
Transformation involves changing the mind of man to bring it into harmony with God’s Will.  Truth, transparency, and accountability are involved in making the changes in God’s direction that will preserve the soul in heavenly bliss.