Romans 12:2

New International Version

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For Meditation

Diana was a very pretty young lady. Against her father’s wishes, she left Dantah for Ogyakrom to begin a new life. In Dantah, she was the marketing director for her father’s small company. Confident in her experience, Diana targeted only multinational companies against conventional wisdom. Finally, her breakthrough came. She got a managerial position with an advertising company. The office pace was faster and more demanding. The workload was also heavier, and there were shorter deadlines to meet. During department meetings, Diana presumed a better opinion on every issue. Her boss tried to coach her, but she was unyielding. She supported her views with the successes of her small company at Dantah. After a few months, the company terminated Dinah’s contract. Frustrated, she returned to her former position at Dantah. She failed in the city because she refused to accept and work with change.

It is presumptuous to go to another country and refuse to adjust to its culture. Different environments demand different outlooks and attitudes. The same rule applies to companies and organizations. Each has its own unique culture and work ethic, and that’s what Diana failed to acknowledge.

Many Christians fall into the same trap after conversion. We often forget that we have moved from the world into a new life with Christ (Col. 1:13-14; 1 Peter 2:9). The Christian journey is spiritual. Once we forget that, we lose it altogether. If we have indeed moved into the kingdom of God in Christ, everything has to change about us. His kingdom has different principles and cultures to learn and embrace. Whenever our entrenched worldview comes against the kingdom principles, they must give way.

That is what Paul talks about in Romans 12. He appeals to believers and urges them, by the mercies of God, to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, which is their acceptable act of worship (v.1). Paul calls it the Christian’s spiritual act of worship. It requires a dramatic change in lifestyle and attitudes. Paul warns believers against conformity to the pattern of the world. Instead, he instructs them to embrace change by renewing their minds. This renewal is the work of the word of God that reveals His will to the believer for obedience (v.2). Jesus calls it putting new wine into new wineskin, rather than the old (Matt. 9:16-17).

We have a responsibility, brethren. It is to move away from our old ways and to renew our minds in His word. Too many things are pulling us on all fronts, but only one thing is necessary—to do the will of God. I pray we will allow the word of God to transform us by renewing our minds so that we may please Him.