Transforming Lives: Understanding and Living God's Will

 

Summary

In Romans 12:1-2, Paul presents a profound call to Christian living, urging believers to offer their bodies as living sacrifices and to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This transformation is essential for discerning the good, acceptable, and perfect will of God. The passage serves as a bridge between the doctrinal teachings of the first eleven chapters of Romans and the practical application of those teachings in the lives of believers. The Apostle Paul emphasizes that the Christian life is not merely about moral conduct but about a complete transformation that aligns with God's will.

The ultimate goal of this transformation is to understand and appreciate God's will in a way that was previously impossible. This understanding is not just intellectual but involves a deep, experiential knowledge that comes from living out God's will. The Christian life is not about conforming to the world's standards but about being transformed into the likeness of Christ, which is the ultimate expression of God's will for humanity.

Paul argues that the Christian life is unique and distinct from any other moral or ethical system. It is not about being a "good person" by worldly standards but about living in conformity with God's will. This involves a radical reorientation of one's mind and heart, leading to a life that glorifies God. The Christian's ultimate aim is not personal happiness or moral superiority but holiness and conformity to God's will.

The renewing of the mind is crucial because it enables believers to discern what pleases God. This discernment is not automatic but requires active participation and cooperation with the Holy Spirit. As believers renew their minds, they begin to see God's will as good, acceptable, and perfect. This transformation leads to a life that reflects God's glory and draws others to Him.

Key Takeaways:

- Transformation Through Renewal: The Christian life requires a transformation that begins with the renewal of the mind. This renewal is essential for discerning God's will and living a life that pleases Him. It involves a shift from worldly thinking to a mindset that aligns with God's purposes. [05:28]

- Understanding God's Will: The ultimate goal of renewing the mind is to understand and appreciate God's will. This understanding is not merely intellectual but involves a deep, experiential knowledge that comes from living out God's will in daily life. [19:40]

- Christianity's Unique Call: Christianity is distinct from other moral systems because it calls for a life that is not just morally good but in complete conformity with God's will. This involves a radical reorientation of one's mind and heart, leading to a life that glorifies God. [06:05]

- Holiness Over Happiness: The Christian life prioritizes holiness over personal happiness. While happiness is a byproduct of living in God's will, the ultimate aim is to be holy as God is holy, reflecting His character in every aspect of life. [31:44]

- The Perfection of God's Will: God's will is perfect, and His plan for believers is nothing less than perfection. This perfection is not just about avoiding sin but about being conformed to the image of Christ, reflecting His glory and character. [45:03]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:11] - Introduction to Romans 12:1-2
- [00:32] - The Good, Acceptable, and Perfect Will of God
- [01:13] - Motives for Christian Living
- [01:46] - Presenting Our Bodies as Living Sacrifices
- [02:22] - The Manner of Christian Living
- [03:03] - The Ultimate Objective
- [04:14] - The New Mind of a Christian
- [05:28] - Understanding God's Will
- [06:05] - Christianity's Unique Call
- [07:12] - Conformity to God's Will
- [08:32] - The Fullness of Salvation
- [10:37] - The Negative Approach to Salvation
- [11:43] - The Good Pagan and Moral Ethics
- [12:39] - The One Big Theme of the Bible
- [14:33] - Be Ye Holy for I Am Holy
- [15:29] - The Object of Salvation
- [17:04] - The Chief End of Man
- [19:40] - The Measure of the Fall of Man
- [21:33] - Proving God's Will
- [24:19] - Discovering the Will of God
- [28:00] - The Goodness of God's Will
- [31:44] - Holiness Over Happiness
- [33:22] - The Goodness of God's Will
- [37:37] - The Rightness of God's Will
- [45:03] - The Perfection of God's Will
- [51:41] - The Test of Understanding
- [52:50] - Renew Your Minds

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Romans 12:1-2

Observation Questions:
1. What does Paul mean by presenting our bodies as a "living sacrifice"? How does this relate to our daily lives? [00:11]
2. How does the Apostle Paul describe the transformation that should occur in a believer's mind? [02:22]
3. What is the ultimate objective of renewing our minds according to the sermon? [05:28]
4. How does the sermon describe the difference between Christian conduct and general moral behavior? [06:05]

Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of being a "living sacrifice" challenge the way Christians view their physical bodies and daily actions? [01:46]
2. In what ways does the renewing of the mind help believers discern God's will? How is this process described in the sermon? [21:11]
3. The sermon emphasizes that Christianity is distinct from other moral systems. What are the implications of this distinction for a believer's life? [06:05]
4. How does the sermon explain the relationship between holiness and happiness in the Christian life? [31:44]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current mindset. Are there areas where you feel conformed to the world rather than transformed by God's will? What steps can you take to renew your mind in these areas? [02:22]
2. Consider a recent decision you made. How did you discern whether it aligned with God's will? What role did prayer and scripture play in that process? [21:11]
3. The sermon suggests that the Christian life prioritizes holiness over personal happiness. How does this perspective challenge your current priorities? [31:44]
4. Identify a specific area in your life where you struggle to see God's will as good and perfect. How can you begin to change your perspective on this issue? [33:22]
5. Think of a time when you felt your actions were more about conforming to societal standards than aligning with God's will. How can you shift your focus to glorifying God in similar situations in the future? [07:58]
6. How can you actively participate in the renewal of your mind this week? Consider specific practices such as meditation on scripture, prayer, or seeking guidance from fellow believers. [50:37]
7. Reflect on a recent challenge or trial. How can you view this situation as an opportunity to learn and grow in understanding God's will? [35:11]

Devotional

Day 1: Transformation Begins with the Mind
The Christian life calls for a profound transformation that starts with the renewal of the mind. This renewal is not a passive process but an active engagement with the Holy Spirit, allowing believers to shift from worldly thinking to a mindset that aligns with God's purposes. As believers renew their minds, they become more attuned to discerning God's will, which is essential for living a life that pleases Him. This transformation is not about conforming to external standards but about an internal change that reflects God's glory. [05:28]

Ephesians 4:22-24 (ESV): "To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

Reflection: What specific thought patterns or beliefs do you need to surrender to God today to allow for the renewal of your mind?


Day 2: Experiencing God's Will
Understanding God's will goes beyond intellectual knowledge; it involves a deep, experiential understanding that comes from living out His will in daily life. This understanding is cultivated through a relationship with God, where believers actively seek to align their actions and decisions with His desires. As believers grow in this experiential knowledge, they begin to see God's will as good, acceptable, and perfect, leading to a life that reflects His glory and draws others to Him. [19:40]

Colossians 1:9-10 (ESV): "And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God."

Reflection: How can you actively seek to experience God's will in a specific area of your life today?


Day 3: A Call to Radical Reorientation
Christianity is distinct from other moral systems because it calls for a life that is not just morally good but in complete conformity with God's will. This involves a radical reorientation of one's mind and heart, leading to a life that glorifies God. The Christian life is not about achieving moral superiority but about being transformed into the likeness of Christ, which is the ultimate expression of God's will for humanity. [06:05]

1 Peter 1:14-16 (ESV): "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to reorient your heart and mind to align with God's will?


Day 4: Holiness as the Ultimate Aim
The Christian life prioritizes holiness over personal happiness. While happiness is a byproduct of living in God's will, the ultimate aim is to be holy as God is holy, reflecting His character in every aspect of life. This pursuit of holiness involves a commitment to living in conformity with God's will, even when it requires sacrifice or challenges personal desires. [31:44]

Hebrews 12:10-11 (ESV): "For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize holiness over personal happiness in your daily decisions and actions?


Day 5: The Perfection of God's Will
God's will is perfect, and His plan for believers is nothing less than perfection. This perfection is not just about avoiding sin but about being conformed to the image of Christ, reflecting His glory and character. As believers pursue this perfection, they are called to trust in God's plan, even when it is not fully understood, knowing that His will is ultimately for their good and His glory. [45:03]

James 1:4 (ESV): "And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: How can you trust in the perfection of God's will in a situation where you currently feel uncertain or challenged?

Quotes


"Now we have reached the stage at which we've got to consider that last phrase that he may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. I've been trying to show how in these two verses the Apostle introduces the great theme of Christian living, having outlined the great doctrine the first eleven chapters he now comes to application which he introduces with this word therefore." [00:43:19]

"The ultimate objective of the whole of the Christian life is to bring us into conformity with the will of God. Now that we're reminded you see once more that that is to be always our v-world salvation and I suggest to you that many of our troubles and difficulties in the Christian Church even amongst evangelical people today are due to the fact that we've not always been careful to remember that." [08:13:00]

"Salvation is never small and here we are reminded of what it is it's neither small its nor negative what is it well it's always positive it's always big it's always great what's the object of salvation is it merely to deliver me from Hell no no it is to make me conform to the will of God." [10:50:32]

"The Christian teaching about behavior is not only interested in conduct it is interested in cognitive thoughts but only as conduct is a an objective manifestation of an ultimate attitude we saw that in a sense in dealing with the words come formed and transform but here it is once more it isn't merely a matter of conduct or that we should be generally good." [06:37:03]

"Now the Apostle you see puts it in this most interesting way here he says you must pay great attention to this renewing of your mind because he says if you don't you will never prove what God's will is and here again you see is the most important statement what he's really telling us is that men by nature does not prove what God's will is." [17:35:00]

"Renew your mind says the Apostle in order that you may develop the power of distinguishing between what pleases God and what displeases God it means a clarity of moral perception if you like it means a kind of tenderness of conscience now that is the content of this world true but in order to make this clear let me give you some other examples." [22:09:00]

"Now the word discern comes from the same root as this word prove that we are dealing with here in Romans 12:2 and you see what he say you will not be able to discern both good and evil unless you use your senses unless you renew your mind in other words you've got to do it and as you reveal your mind you will begin this understanding." [26:54:00]

"Now it's only a Christian who can talk like that and nobody but a Christian ever does talk like that it's the exact opposite of what the men of the world says but look at the way in which the psalmist really had anticipated this and was able to say things like this that's why we have read the portion from the hundred 19th son." [34:14:00]

"Now here you see the apostle brings us up to that level showing us the essential characteristic of this great teaching now this is in a way what you may describe as the one big theme of the Bible this is what the Bible is about it tells us that we must get the right we were men and that all our troubles are due to the fact that we've got the wrong view of man." [12:12:00]

"Now the Apostle has reminded us of that in the eighth chapter in the seventh verse of this great epistle where he has told us the carnal mind is enmity against God is not subject to the law of God neither indeed can be that is the essential trouble with men all as he puts it elsewhere you were enemies and Hillians in your mind by wicked works." [18:23:00]

"Now the Apostle has already said this several times in this great epistle take for instance and let this my friends be your meditation if you like at this Christmas season what the law of Romans 8:3 m23 and for what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh." [45:37:00]

"Now the Apostle is therefore telling us is this that the men who renews his mind in the way we've been considering and of days the leading and the prompting of the Spirit he shall be able to discover certain things about the will of God and this is the most important thing that a man can ever do our trouble fundamentally as sinners is that we do not understand and approve of the will of God." [24:22:00]

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Transcript
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