IV. THE PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION   

A. IN THE BEGINNING…     

1. Remember, transformation is a passive process (“be transformed”) – Ro 12:2        

    a. We cannot change ourselves by our own strength or meritorious works        

    b. As Paul vividly illustrated his dilemma prior to his conversion – Ro 7:14-24         

     — We must submit to God’s working on us!      

2. It begins when we are baptized into Christ!         

   a. For there we experience the working of God – Col 2:11-13            

         1) Spiritually circumcised as our sins are removed            

         2) Buried then raised with Christ            

        3) Made alive with Christ, forgiven of all trespasses         

    b. For there we experience the renewal of the Spirit – Tit 3:5            

         1) Saved by the mercy of God            

         2) Involving a washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit         

    c. For there we rise to walk in newness of life – Ro 6:3-8            

          1) Having been buried with Christ by baptism into His death           

          2) Having been crucified with Christ that we might be free from sin   

         3) Having been raised to live with Christ         

     — When joined with faith and repentance, baptism becomes the starting point in which true transformation can take place!            

    – cf. Mk 16:16; Ac 2:38    

    B. RENEWING THE MIND…     

       1. The process of transformation continues as we renew the mind          

             a. As indicated in our text – Ro 12:2; cf. also Ep 4:20-24         

             b. Unless there is a renewing of the mind, any change in our lives will be superficial      

       2. Renewing the mind is made possible by where we set our minds        

            a. Setting our minds on things above – Col 3:1-2         

            b. Setting our minds on the things of the Spirit – Ro 8:5         

            c. I.e., feeding our minds with the Word of God, prayer, fellowship, etc. – Ac 2:42      

      3. With our minds “renewed” we can experience a true transformation!         

            a. By putting off the old man and putting on the new man – cf. Col 3:2,5-10        

            b. By living according to the Spirit – cf. Ro 8:5,13      

      4. The process of transformation is really quite simple        

            a. Set your minds on things above in order to renew your mind; for example…            

                  1) Meditate and contemplate on God and His Word            

                 2) Keep your mind in communication with God via prayer            

                 3) Involve your mind in spiritual worship via frequent assembling with others            

                 4) Centre your mind on Jesus via the Lord’s Supper… and your mind will gradually be renewed!         

            b. With renewed minds, it becomes possible to put off the old, and put on the new!           

                  1) To put off the old man with its sins            

                 2) To put on the new man patterned after the example of Christ      

      5. Modern studies in self-improvement confirm this truth         

             a. We become what we think        

             b. We can change attitudes and behaviour by filling our mind with positive mental images      

        — In our efforts, we are not alone; God is at work with us! – cf. Php 1:6; 2:12-13   

               C. WHAT HINDERS MANY CHRISTIANS…      

       1. If it is so easy, why do many Christians remain “caterpillars”?         

            a. Were they not regenerated at their baptism? (yes)       

            b. Don’t they have the promise of God’s help? (yes)      

       2. The problem is likely a failure to renew the mind        

           a. Can a mind be renewed on a starvation diet? (e.g., irregular Bible study)     

           b. Can a mind be renewed on a junk-food diet? (e.g., trashy movies and novels)      

       3. Why many Christians do not experience transformation…        

          a. They become what they think, and much of what they think upon is not becoming!      

          b. They spend more time watching things of the devil than reading things of the Spirit!      

         — Our attitudes and behaviour is but a reflection of what goes into our minds!

 To conclude,

1. We have been called to be “transformed” into the image of Christ…
        
     a. We have all the motivation we need (God’s mercies and Christ’s love) 
   
     b. We have the opportunity to start anew by the washing of regeneration
   
     c. We must allow our minds to be renewed by setting them on things above

   
    — Are we submitting to “brain surgery” by the Great Physician…?

2. God wants to give us a complete “make over”…
    
     a. He has provided the means (Jesus’ blood) to remove the deformity of sin
   
     b. He provides the tools (Bible study, prayer, fellowship) to fashion a new person
   
   

     In light of God’s wonderful grace, this is our “reasonable” service. Shall we not prove to the world that God’s will is “good, acceptable, and perfect”…?