ROMANS:Behaving Like a Christian Requires a Radical Transformation; "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind!"

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Paul spent the first part of the book to the church in Rome educating the believers in the basic doctrines related to salvation. (Romans 1-8)  He spent the second part of the book helping them understand the unbelief of the Jews and how that benefited the Gentiles. (Romans 9-11) Now in the final chapters of the book, he will explain general principles of Christian life that we all must put into practice.

The first thing we as Christians must do is present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service.  Jesus taught us that if wanted to be Christians, Christ -like, like Him, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it." (Luke 9:23-24) Christ has to come first in our lives; therefore, we have to sacrifice continuing in sin and the former way we used to live and things we used to do. We have to nail those desires and temptations to our cross daily, and make the choice to follow Him instead.

In order to successfully do this, we can not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Jesus also taught us, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:18-19)  We're still in this world and in the flesh, so we may look like we always did, but we shouldn't think or sound the same after becoming a Christian. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. (II Corinthians 5:17)

For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3) After becoming Christians, we should have a new demeanor, more humble and meek.  Not weak and subservient, but a realistic opinion of ourselves and others because we realize exactly where God has brought us from.  When we realize that for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,... Where is boasting then? It is excluded. (Romans 3:23, 27) 

Even though we are Christians, we were once non-Christians, and therefore we shouldn't think of our self more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (Galatians 6:3) But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” [Proverbs 3:34] (James 4:6) For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Romans 12:4-8)

Paul taught in detail to the church in Corinth about the diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:... (I Corinthians 12:5-7) Through the Holy Spirit, Who is our proof within us that we are Christians, God has given each of us a gift to be used to spread the gospel of Christ and edify the church.  For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. ... But now indeed there are many members, yet one body. ...  that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. (I Corinthians 12:12, 20, 25)

Whatever our specific gift is, no one gift is better than another, just different.  But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. (I Corinthians 12:11) But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. (I Corinthians 12:31) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (I Corinthians 13:13) Of all the gifts, ministries and activities we can have, LOVE has to be first and that's something we ALL have if we are Christians, because the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23) 

We're not a Christians if we're not filled with the Holy Spirit. So if we are Christians, we are filled with the Holy Spirit; therefore, we all have the fruit of the Spirit.  That's why we're able to present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, and be transformed by the renewing of our mind, that we may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Love is the foundation: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16); Jesus said, “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you;..." (John 15:9) And Jesus taught us, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. (Romans 12:9-13) The world has a misunderstanding of love.  They tend to believe it's only about feelings, and often times misuse the word when the word lust would better describe what they're meaning.  But love is action; it's how we treat each other.  We are to have brotherly love for one another.  This is what Jesus meant when He said, "And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:31)

But we are not to only have and show love towards other Christians.  We are to love everyone.  How is that possible?  Because love is not feelings, it's action!  Jesus also taught, “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you?... And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others?... Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:43-48) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14)

Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” [Deuteronomy 32:35] says the Lord. Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.” [Proverbs 25:21-22] Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:15-21)

Bodies that are living sacrifices to God, and minds that have been renewed and transformed are new creatures in Christ Jesus, through the power of His Holy Spirit. The natural part of us has a difficult time accepting and doing all of these things, because the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (I Corinthians 2:14) But we are no longer natural but spiritual, for we have the mind of Christ. (I Corinthians 2:16) AMEN!