I am back to resting in Romans 12 this morning where we find the warmth of God’s mercy. We live every aspect of our lives as a spiritual act of worship, offering our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing unto Him. Sound easy? Not in the slightest. Sacrifice is never easy, that’s why it’s called sacrifice!

The Way to sacrifice begins in verse 2: “Do not conform any longer 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.” 

The will of God winds through Romans 12, and it begins with the abandoning of the pattern of this world and becoming transformed by the renewing of our minds.

The world’s pattern is contrary to God. That is readily apparent from the words and life of Christ. The world’s pattern is engrained in us from early on, however. What must happen to know God’s will is to truly abandon the pattern of the world. The only way to do this is to have our minds renewed.

Jesus promised that He would send the Holy Spirit who would lead us, guide us, and teach us the ways of God. Our part is to take God’s Word and allow the Spirit to work it out in us. When God’s Word enters our mind, it conflicts with the pattern of the world that has been set there. The Spirit comes to point out this conflict, and to strengthen us and guide us to abandon the former ways and embrace God’s will as it is set out in the Word. It happens every time you read or hear a passage that quickens your soul.

By cooperating with God’s spirit and allowing Him His work, our minds our renewed and we are transformed.