Scripture Read: Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.
Application: This passage not only tells us how to live but also how to finish well. No matter what else we do or how we do it, we need to continue to be renewed and transformed...
Transformed: μεταμορφόω metamorphóō; from metá -denoting change of place or condition, and morphóō - to form. To transform, transfigure, change one’s form. In the NT, only in the mid., metamorphóomai, to be transfigured. Used of the Lord’s transfiguration on the mount (Matt. 17:2; Mark 9:2) involving the miracle of transformation from an earthly form into a supernatural form which was externally denoted by the radiance of His garments and countenance. This suggests what the bodies of the righteous may be like as a result of the resurrection of our bodies (1 Cor. 15:51f.). In Rom. 12:2 and 2 Cor. 3:18, the idea of transformation refers to an invisible process in Christians which takes place or begins to take place during their life in this age.
Renewing: άνακαίνωσις anakaínōsis to renew qualitatively. μεταμορφοῦσθε τῇ ἀνακαινώσει τοῦ → νοός, refers to the renewal of thought and will which Christians constantly need if they are to show by their moral conduct that they belong to the new aeon and are members of the new humanity [1] [2]
This is really what we need to make our focus if we desire to finish well. Renewal and transformation are the key to finishing well. In both words used here the real issue is our connection to the Holy Spirit. He is the One that renews and transforms us. He uses the Word and all circumstances in our life to bring that about. Lord we should be amazed how often we can hear Your Spirit and yet still ignore Him. We are sorry Comforter – We insult, resist, quench You far too often. Father You know what is in our heart – We do not desire to live in the weakness of our flesh – grant us Your strength to finish well. Help us to be honest and deal the fears we have concerning our future: disease, family, finances and death will try to get a grip in our life. Let us give these to You and ask that You fill us today. Help us continue in our disciplines that are used by You to enable us to remain focused. To finish well we need You Lord Jesus. Guide us!
[2] Theological dictionary of the New Testament. 1964- (G. Kittel, G. W. Bromiley & G. Friedrich, Ed.) (electronic ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans.
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