When the guy who wrote most of the New Testament begs us to do something, it’s probably wise to listen. Lean into Romans 12:1-2 with me today:
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:1-2, emphasis mine)
First, Paul encourages us to offer ourselves to God because true worship is nothing more than true surrender.
Second, Paul begs us to be transformed and not to be conformed. External things motivate us to conform (in this case, the pattern of the world), but internal things motivate us to transform. What is the internal motivation that leads to transformation? A renewed mind.
[Tweet “What is the internal motivation that leads to transformation? A renewed mind.”]All of us have a playlist in our head — a mixtape, if you will — that we play over and over again. If we’re honest, most of those playlists have songs that we’ve heard others play for us over the years. Some top songs are “I’ll never be good enough” or “If they really knew me, they wouldn’t love me” or “I’m invisible.”
Paul understood that as long as we keep playing that playlist, we’ll cave to the pattern of the world. So many have conformed because they never thought they could be anything other than who others told them they were.
But Paul has a nugget that can transform us and change the playlist. He said that all of this — the offering, the worship, the renewing of the mind — happens in view of God’s mercy.
His mercy, y’all. Not his wrath, anger, or disappointment.
Fear conforms, but love transforms.
Today, which one will you allow to control your playlist?
