Rom 12:1 (ESV)  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. 

Rom 12:2  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 (ESV)

Romans 12:1–2 (KJV)

“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.”(KJV)

Recurrent Thought

True spiritual transformation happens when the believer offers himself fully to God and allows God to renew his thinking according to His truth. A changed life flows from a renewed mind surrendered to God.

The Christian life is not changed first by behavior, but by thinking. Many believers want a transformed life, but they keep the same patterns of thought. Paul teaches us that real spiritual transformation begins in the mind. A Disciple is a person who is Following Jesus, being changed by Jesus and on mission with Jesus. The transformation of the disciple is directly related to his changed way of thinking.

• My thoughts control my life (Prov. 4:23)
• My mind is the battleground for Sin

(Temptations are in the mind, desire is in the mind Romans 7:22-23)

• My mind is the Key to Peace and Happiness (Rom. 8:6)

1. Transformation Begins with A Surrendered Life

   A.) It is a Surrender Motivated by Mercy

• You cannot experience a transformed mind without first offering a surrendered life to God.
• We surrender to him not because he forces us. Paul does not say “by fear” or “by obligation,” but “by the mercies of God.”
  Everything that follows is a response to what God has already done
• The Greek idea behind “mercies” (οἰκτιρμοί – oiktirmoi) points to God’s deep compassion.
• Ephesians 2:4–5; Lamentations 3:22–23
• A forgiven debtor does not live carelessly; he lives gratefully.
• The key point is that if you have received Grace then you must lead to life surrendered.

B.) It is a Surrender That Is Total

•  “that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice…”

In the Old Testament, sacrifices were dead.
 I.) In the New Testament, the believer becomes a living sacrifice.

• The word “present” means to place oneself at God’s disposal completely.
• 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Galatians 2:20
• God does not want pieces of our life; He wants the alta filled.
• Partial surrender produces no real transformation.

II.) It is a Surrender That Is Reasonable

•  “which is your reasonable service.”
• The word “reasonable” comes from logikos; which means logical, intelligent worship.
  True worship is not only emotional; it is a life offered to God.

III.) When we understand what Christ did on the cross, surrender becomes the only reasonable response.

• We come to understand truly that Worship is not what we sing, but how we live.

2.  Transformation Requires a Renewed Mind

Spiritual transformation happens when God reshapes our thinking through His truth.

   A.)A Negative Command: Do Not Be Conformed

•  “Conformed” means to be pressed into a mold.  The “world” (aion) refers to the present evil system opposed to God. 1 John 2:15–17 James 4:4
• A Christian cannot follow Christ and copy the world at the same time.
• You cannot live transformed if you think like the world.

  B.) A Positive Command: Be Transformed

•  “Transformed” (metamorphoo) is the same word used in the Transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:2).
  It describes an inner change that produces an outer result.
• A caterpillar does not improve itself; it becomes something new.
• Christianity is not behavior adjustment, but inner renewal.

C.) The Means of Transformation: Renewing the Mind

• Renewal is continuous. It happens as the mind is reshaped by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit (Psalm 119:105; Ephesians 4:23)
• What fills the mind controls the direction of life. A renewed mind produces a renewed life.

3.  Transformation Results in Discerning God’s Will

• A transformed mind enables the believer to understand and live out God’s will.
• And the will of the Lord is always Good Will
• God’s will is never harmful to the believer, even when it is difficult (Psalm 84:11, Jeremiah 29:11
• God’s will always leads to what is truly good.
• God’s Will Is Acceptable
• What pleases God must become more important than what pleases people (Col 1:10; Gal 1:10)
• A transformed life seeks God’s approval, not man’s applause.
• God’s Will Is Perfect  “and perfect, will of God.”
• “Perfect” means complete and mature. God’s will lacks nothing (Psalm 18:30; Proverbs 3:5–6)
•  God’s way is complete, even when we do not understand it.

CONCLUSION

Transformation by changed thinking is not optional for the Christian life.