True Transformation

https://odb.org/MY/2021/09/29/joyful-learning

Romans 12:2 is such a famous verse that I think most of us will know it like we know John 3:16. In essence it has 4 parts, and starts with (1) not conforming to the pattern of this world, followed by (2) being transformed by the renewing of our minds, and thirdly, so that (3) we may test and approve what God’s will is, and lastly, that (4) His will is pleasing and perfect.

My company is currently going through a transformation process, we are changing the way we do things and run the business across all divisions. Not change for the sake of change but change to bring in best practices from elsewhere applicable to our industry. More to update ourselves to the latest methods, processes that have been proven in other jurisdictions, other markets. As we dive deeper in, we realised that in certain areas, we are one generation behind like other markets had adopted this method or way of doing things way back in the 2000s. But it is only now in 2021/22 that we are doing this! However, there are casualties – in terms of redundancies and change of vendors. There is a cost involved – we pay to lay off people. Thus there is a cost to people in that some will lose their jobs.

Is it true that Romans 12:2 is merely transformation by just not conforming to the pattern of the world and being renewed in our mind? Just applying the biblical worldview like, for example, being selfless in rejection of the secular worldview of, for example, being self centred? Is it just changing our mindset or paradigm? Is it all in the mind?

Because Romans 12:2 is so well known, we just usually jump right into it. But Romans 12:2 actually sets the scene with verse 1 and in the first verse, Paul teaches that in view of God’s mercy (for saving us through the blood of Jesus), we must present or offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing (or acceptable) to God, which is our true and proper worship. In other words, like the transformation efforts by my company, there must be sacrifices made. Sacrifice is inevitable for true transformation to take place.

But as believers, the sacrifice I think is much greater – it is a living sacrifice. Our bodies must be offered and presented to God, holy and pleasing unto Him and that is our true and proper worship, not so much the songs we sing on Sundays or the instruments we play during worship services. We worship God by living a life that is sacrificial, holy and pleasing to Him. That, to me, is the pre-requisite to the transformation in verse 2.

Just like corporate transformation efforts, change requires sacrifice. The transformation that comes through the renewing of our mind also requires sacrifice. It is not merely in the mind. Our bodies must be holy and pleasing to God too. We must live our life as a living sacrifice. Then it will come together with us testing and approving, meaning we will see and experience, that God’s will for us is pleasing and perfect. We will see that it will all fit in nicely. We will then be the person God wants us to be, realising our fullest potential in Christ, fulfilling God’s plans and purpose for us – the raison d’etre of our existence here in earth! I think we cannot deny the saying that “no pain, no gain” is very true indeed!