Truly Transformed // Rom 12:2 // Mike Armstrong // 9.26.21 // T-WEST

I can truly be transformed when I… 1. Determine the ways I’ve conformed to this world (v.2a) 2. Renew what I think about and actually believe (v.2b) 3. Experience that God’s will really is the best thing ever (v.2c)

Rom 12. Have u ever gotten 2 the place in your life where u just knew — something’s gotta change here [diet/exercise — sin that’s become a runaway train — anxiety — spiritual discipline] — all of us face these types of moments where it hits us that, ‘man, I need 2 get this thing fixed/growth — I need 2 b transformed.’

Well 2day we’re gonna explore how 2 do that & do it well/biblically. How do u & I actually change? Practically speaking, how do we grow in an area that’s been a problem — what’s our responsibility & what’s the Lord’s responsibility in this process? How can we get 2 a place where we truly live/function as God intends us 2 — w/ joy/gratitude/peace/confidence in the Lord — & out of a strong realization of the identity he’s given us as believers?

So what we’re gonna do here is look at Rom 12:2 — Now it’s just 1 v but it’s a very helpful 1 b/c it actually tells us quite a lot about this idea of transformation — READ & PRAY

I can truly b transformed when I… 1. Determine the ways I’ve conformed 2 this world. This is the 1st step 2 transformation — if u & I really wanna change, then we need 2 b properly aware of what the problem is exactly — v.2a: Do not b conformed 2 this world — conformed means “in compliance w/ (rules/standards/laws)“ — meaning here that the world has its ways of thinking/beliefs/behaving/driven by certain desires that r out of line w/ how Christ-followers r 2 think//believe/behave/& even the desires we’re 2 have inwardly — simply put — the world’s way of doing things is contrary 2 God’s ways & as believers we’re not 2 become like/conform 2 that. Now in the original language that word conformed carries w/ it the sense that when u conform 2 something, an inner change has occurred — which makes sense — what we do/how we act/behave on the outside is never just an external thing — it always flows from what’s going on inside (heart/mind) [going 2 your favorite coffee shop every day…] — what we do flows from what we think/believe.

So think about it like this — if u wanna b transformed in the area of anger/sexual immorality/fear/addiction/bad eating habits/watching too much TV — the issue is not just the external act of giving in2/doing those things outwardly — the issue is that somewhere inside you’ve conformed 2 this world in your thinking/beliefs/desires — & out from those inner thoughts/beliefs/desires you’ve chosen 2 act/live outwardly in world-conforming ways, instead of God-conforming ways — which r always best.

So as u consider where you’re at spiritually this wk, start thinking carefully & determining the ways you’ve conformed 2 this world — & while you’ll likely come up those outward issues like gossip — impatience w/ my kids — coldness 2wards my spouse — (outward actions) — really start 2 think about what’s going on inside — the thoughts/beliefs/desires behind those actions — cuz that’s where the root of these issues r found. It takes some careful thought 2 determine what those things r — cuz remember — how u & I r conformed 2 this world begins internally — in what we think/believe/desire — we discover where those things r off/out of line w/ what’s true/good/right in God’s eyes, then we can attack the problem at the root & begin 2 see transformation begin 2 happen outwardly in how we actually live — Rom 8:6: 4 2 set the mind on the flesh is death, but 2 set the mind on the Spirit is life & peace. Now all this sets us up 4 this next thing:

I can truly b transformed when I… 2. Renew what I think about & actually believe. So if the 1st step 2 transformation is determining what’s biblically off about our thinking/beliefs/desires — then the 2nd step is 2 get those thoughts/beliefs/desires set on the right things — that’s what this is getting at, v.2b: but b transformed by the renewal of your mind — notice the responsibility placed on us in this v — we’ve been tasked by God 2 put 4th the effort required 2 ensure that our minds get renewed — there’s an action there that u & I r 2 engage in — now along w/ that the HS enables/brings in2 effect the transformation we’re working 2wards — it’s us & the Lord engaged in the process 2gether (divine-human cooperative) — that’s what it means 2 b in a relationship w/ God — 2 parties at work, w/ grace making it happen. So keep in mind here that it’s not just pray & then sit back passively & expect God 2 do all the work of transformation. Nor is transformation some sort of self-help endeavour where u do all the work by sheer exertion in your own strength.

So what does the effort we put 4th look like? What we’re shown here is that being transformed happens as our minds r renewed — meaning that it’s crucial that u & I learn 2 think about & make the choice 2 believe & then act upon what is actually true/good — a couple vs that I’ve found immensely helpful: Phil 4:8-9: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What u have learned & received & heard & seen in me—practice these things, & the God of peace will b w/ u. Rom 6:11: So u also must consider (think carefully) yourselves dead 2 sin & alive 2 God in CJ. Eph 4:22-23: 2 put off your old self, which belongs 2 your former manner of life & is corrupt thru deceitful desires, & 2 b renewed in the spirit of your minds. So u see there the critical importance placed on thinking about what is actually true — y do we need 2 do that? Well b/c u & I have the unfortunate tendency of thinking about & believing things that aren’t actually true — we believe a shocking amount of lies — let me give u a few eg — ‘if I don’t look attractive I’ll never have true value or b worth loving’ — wrong — ‘this crisis I’m in will leave me permanently destroyed & beyond repair’ — incorrect — ’dating an unsaved person isn’t that big a deal & probably won’t have any serious consequences’ — false — ‘this thing I’ve been praying 4 hasn’t gone the way I’d like, so it must mean that God isn’t truly good or care about my well-being’ — once again, not true — 2 b transformed by the renewal of your mind means 2 learn 2 consciously/intentionally think about & actually choose 2 believe what is true instead — not giving in2 what r just straight up lies.

Now u might b thinking, ‘man, I’ve been a Christian 4 a long time — & I’ve read all these vs b4 — I already know the truth — I get it’ — do u? Cuz my push-back 2 that would b that we tend 2 “know truth” in a very surfacy/head-knowledge type way — but in many cases it doesn’t go deeper than that — where it genuinely governs our hearts & directs our emotions & transforms our desires & leads 2 practically behaving/living in ways that align w/ God's design/will.

Listen, I’m excited 4 u as u wade in2 some of these things more deeply — cuz this has been so good 4 me — thru my times w/ the Lord & some timely conversations w/ good friends that deep down I believe a lot of lies & those lies gotta go — I need 2 replace them w/ what’s true/pure/lovely — I’ve gotta b transformed by the renewal of my mind by thinking about & actually choosing 2 believe God’s truth instead. & again, I think this is exciting b/c it’s very doable — this transformation is not out of reach 4 any of us — remember — it’s 1st determining the lies I believe that have me conforming 2 the world’s ways — then it’s renewing my thinking & my deep down beliefs so that they’re anchored 2 the truth of Scripture — so that I can then discover the awesomeness of what living according 2 God’s will is like — that’s really the last thing here:

I can truly b transformed when I… 3. Experience that God’s will really is the best thing ever. v.2c: Do not b conformed 2 this world, but b transformed by the renewal of your mind — k we’ve looked at that, now this — that by testing u may discern what is the will of God, what is good & acceptable & perfect. Now I think the English translation of this part of the sentence here is a touch clunky — the original language (GK) conveys the idea that as u & I r transformed by the renewal of our minds, the will of God — which itself is good & acceptable & perfect — becomes something we experience in our lives as the greatest thing ever — that’s what’s meant when it says by testing u may discern — as our minds r renewed in the truth, we’ll find/discern, thru experience/testing, that God’s will really is superior — far better than the world’s ways/lies, which we seem 2 constantly get sucked in2 thinking is best & then end up pursuing.

So if u think about it — this is such a massive part of getting 2 the place of truly being transformed in those areas we know need changing — it’s experiencing/getting a taste of how awesome God’s will is — it’s the best — here’s how J.A. Witmer puts it: “As a Christian is transformed in his mind & is made more like Christ, he comes 2 approve & desire God’s will, not his own will 4 his life. Then he discovers that God’s will is what is good 4 him, & that it pleases God, & is complete in every way. It is all he needs. But only by being renewed spiritually can a believer ascertain, do, & enjoy the will of God.”

Being truly transformed isn’t just about ridding ourselves of poor thinking or ceasing 2 do the “bad”/“wrong” things anymore (sin-avoidance mode) — it’s about also experiencing the goodness of believing what’s true deep down now & having those beliefs catapult us w/ joy in2 actually living according 2 God’s will 4 our lives, which is far better than any other path we could choose — it truly is the best way 2 live life.

Like, imagine not being an emotionally anxious train wreck all the time b/c u now live out of a proper understanding of your Gospel identity — which is God’s will — & now u experience that peace that surpasses understanding — imagine being free from the chains of anger b/c u actually believe deep down that God is Sovereign & in control of your life which is allowing u 2 release that sinful/anger-producing desire 4 control — or, imagine the healing that would happen 2 our marriages when our minds have been renewed/transformed by the truth that God is the ultimate 1 who satisfies us & gives us that inner security, instead of desperately trying 2 find that ultimate security in a spouse, but b/c they’re far from perfect we’re just left feeling insecure/disappointed — or imagine what life/ministry would b like if we lived as people who truly believed the Gospel deep down — that we’re 4given, made new & loved by God thru JC.

If you’re not a Christian, that’s what’s available 2 u right now… [GOSPEL] — now just imagine how satisfied we’d all b, grateful, bold, loving & effective in the Lord’s hands if we really believed all this stuff? — it’s what God wants u & I 2 experience — that’s his will — & it’s as truth is applied & our minds r renewed — nothing compares — it really is the best thing ever.

Listen, I wanna pray 4 us & invite u 2 begin praying these things 4 yourselves & 4 your family/church/community this wk… PRAY