(Be) TransformedSample

In yesterday’s reading, we looked at God’s desire for us to be a living sacrifice, holding nothing back from Him, and His compelling encouragement for us to do so: in light of His great mercy toward us.

Verse two of Romans 12 offers some guidance on how to do that. Transformation is an encounter with God that will cause you to move towards Him, and trust that God has more to offer us than the world ever could.

When we come before God with the desires of our heart, our hope is that He will act on our behalf. We want God to move for us, but are we willing to do the same for Him? The beauty of desiring to be transformed by God is that in exchange we experience His glory, receive His blessing, and we become more like Him.

So, how do we renew our minds? What does that even look like?

Saying “no” to the distractions of the world is the gateway to transformation. We see Jesus do this when He takes His first prayer retreat right after He’s baptized by His cousin, John. Jesus is led into the wilderness where Satan tries to tempt Him with earthly comforts, rewards and accolades.

Just as God was with Jesus in the wilderness those forty days, equipping Him with the word of God to take out every temptation, the Holy Spirit has the power to change our appetites - shopping, gossip, alcohol, entertainment, social media, and so on. Even things that are not inherently unhealthy or immoral have the propensity to occupy space in our thoughts that can hinder us from living an uncompromised life.

Living transformed is not about puffing up and posturing outward; it's about posturing in surrender. This is not a one-and-done process. We are to be constantly renewing our minds in order to boldly and courageously live out all that God calls us to.

Romans 12 packs in an incredible amount of insight and discipline about what it means to live the counter-cultural life as a follower of Jesus. Though challenging at times, we have a merciful Father and the tender guidance of the Holy Spirit, if we invite Him to come and transform us.

Our prayer is that, as you’ve sought the Holy Spirit in the last seven days, He begins to speak to you about ways He wants to come in and transform places and spaces in your heart. Allow Him permission to join you in those areas and begin the work of transformation.

This devotional is adapted from the in-depth small group study from Be Together Co., “(Be) Transformed: Living Boldly as God Intended.” Grab some friends and dive deeper into a study on Romans 12 and be transformed together!