Paul is more than helpful in this passage, which holds strong deep truths, he gives us some instructive imperatives, in order for us to live worthily. We are to present our bodies as living sacrifices. Then we are instructed ” do not”, conform to this world, but be “transformed” – metamorphoo ( English word metamorphosis), by the renewal of you mind.
Our bodies, in true acts of worship become the outward expression, of an inward transformation, commencing with the renewing of our mind; the engine room, the process centre, the conception creator, the defining intelligentsia, the brains trust. The place from where we transmit thousands of messages, for our thoughts, deeds, attitudes, speech, responses and actions. This is the place that has to be renewed. Whilst the outward expression may be visibly viewed, it is truly from this metamorphoo, that we will be able to discern the perfect, good and acceptable will of the Father. It is the metamorphosis of the true change From the inside Out.
From the inside out is not of ourselves, this is through regeneration and our spirit man being made alive
Titus 3:5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit.
Be “transformed”, regeneration and renewal are the operatives here. Where we, through Gods grace, God’s Amazing unlimited, boundless, abundant Grace given to us as a free gift. It’s this grace which Morphs us into a new creation. With this comes a new way of thinking, a new way of behaving, a new way of lifestyle, a new way of speaking, that we revel in His glory. It’s through this grace that we metamorphose, into the men and women of God that He intended us to be.
The scripture then goes on to say, that with this renewed mind, not the old one, not the one we used to have, but with the new mind, we should test and discern what is the perfect and good will of God.
This change, this transformation comes from the inside out, as God says in Heb 10:16, This is the covenant that I will make with them, after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws on their hearts, and write them on their minds,” His new covenant of grace will be on our hearts and on our minds, a covenant from the inside out.
To the Pharisees, the religious leaders of the day, Jesus said :-
Matt 23:26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean.
Make sure the things of the heart and mind have been purified, so that the outer matters may be also dealt with.
Join us as we look at Metamorphosis, a transformation, a New You, a change that is graceful and without effort.