Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform 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. Romans 12:1-2
Kent Hughes writes about verse 2 in his work, Preaching the Word Commentary, The following:
"Notice that in verse 2 there are two commands. The first is negative: "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world." The second is positive: ". . . but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." These are the two sides of commitment.
What does this negative command, "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world," mean? "Pattern" comes from the root word schema, from which we derive "scheme," and "world" should be translated "age," referring to the passing age (cf. 1 Corinthians 7:31; Galatians 1:4; and 1 John 2:17), which is dominated by Satan. Thus Paul's words can be paraphrased, "Don't be conformed to the schemes of this passing evil age."" Romans 12:2
This strikes me as incredibly timely for today's age. With all the change happening where right is wrong and evil is good, the time is now to renew our minds through the Holy Spirit and stand against the evil schemes of the devil.
Join me in reading Romans 12 and be encouraged!
