October 4, 2023 - Romans 12

Paul writes, “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. 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” (12:1-2). There are those religious traditions that teach that our ultimate goal is the emptying of the mind so that we might reach out to or become one with an ultimate reality. The idea is that we are not, in the end, separate and distinct beings; rather, we ourselves are one with a greater reality. Thinking wrongly about ourselves, we are consigned to cycles of death and rebirth until we “get it right.”

How differently does Paul, and the other biblical writers view the Christian life. It is not one of emptying the mind; rather, through God’s Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit our minds are to be transformed, becoming ever more like Christ in all his holiness. We are not “little gods” needing to realize our “goodness;” rather, by God’s work in us we become more like him. This process takes place only in the church, a body with many members (12:4) and helping one another toward holiness.

Have thine own way, Lord!

Have thine own way!

Thou art the potter,

I am the clay.

Mold me and make me

after thy will,

while I am waiting,

yielded and still.

Have thine own way, Lord!

Have thine own way!

Hold o’er my being

absolute sway.

Fill with thy Spirit

till all shall see

Christ only, always,

living in me!