And do not be conformed to this world, but you be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove that which is good, and acceptable, and is the perfect will of God.Romans chapter 12
Questions:
1. What does it mean to be conformed to this world?
2. How does a person go about being transformed by the renewing of their mind?
Romans 12 gives us many ways that we can follow some of the best of the 400 commands of the New Covenant of loving others as Jesus loved us by renewing our minds and being transformed {as per Romans 12:2} with the hope of countless heavenly rewards for faithful and loving service:
Romans 12:5-13,20,21: In Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is teaching, let him teach, if it is encouraging let him encourage. If it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously.
Love must be sincere, Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited....
If your enemy is hungry feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good!:angel:
Richard, sorry, if I did not splain more cleaerly the question. But what you've said is so very true.
But I was hoping to discuss the questions in detail as to what Paul is speaking about pertaining to present day thinking and value system and conduct of the world in question , comforming to the world in question #1.
And what it is that a person does to renew the mind in order to be transformed as related to question #2, in other words the process one takes to be transformed based on biblical principles as taught in order to know what to approve and what is acceptable, and what is the perfect will of God. Which would lead us into the ultimate goal God seeks for us, , the image of Hid Son Jesus Christ.
Questions:
1. What does it mean to be conformed to this world?
2. How does a person go about being transformed by the renewing of their mind?
To be conformed to this world to me is to believe and follow the ways of the world vs. believing and following G-d's ways which are contrary to the world. Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world" and the word says to be friends with the world is enmity to G-d. We are to wear the world like a "loose garment". As we become more like Jesus, the things of the world do not bother us as much.
To be transformed by the renewing of my mind occurs as I study and meditate on G-d's word. The word says we are transformed "from glory to glory" As our mind is transformed, we develop the mind of Christ. When we are transformed by G-d, he makes his habitation within our temple and HIS life lives in us. As we submit to G-d, the enemy will flee, and the word says, "the steps of a righteous man are ordered of the L-d. I think he so directs our path that we know what is the good and acceptable will for our lives. He gives us the strength to overcome in all situations. To me it is like a butterfly, that morphs from a caterpillar into a beautiful colorful butterfly that flies away.
I believe this is a process that takes quite a while in a believers life, but if they do not continue to grow, they become stuck and and not experience the real transformation, because they do not surrender themselves completely.
since i am new to this i will just start out with a very simplistic answer to these questions.
to be conformed to this world is to reject God and his word.
to be transformed is to embrace God and His word. to read and study to transform the way you think to line up to God's way of thinking. to gain wisdom. chapter one Proverbs.
1. What does it mean to be conformed to this world?
*** It means to be by the world, of the world, in the world...living in the physical/flesh after physical/fleshly desires that are mostly sensual/materalisitc in nature...
2. How does a person go about being transformed by the renewing of their mind?
*** Well...IMHO...most people probably wouldnt care much about this...unless of course...a Spiritul seed has been planted and a change happens...which is being Born Again...the only way I can go about renewing my mind today is turning away from anything that Father God/Jesus/Holy Spirit would not be Pleased with and turning to the Bible and His Word seeking Him...Sometimes its as simple as doing a Contrary Action...turning a thought of what ever to a thought of Him...hope that makes sense...xo
