THE LINC COLLECTIVE

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1–2

The Renewed Mind and How to Have It:
Romans 12 marks the transition in the letter from the apostle Paul’s theological teaching to his practical teaching. The book of Romans is probably the closest thing in the Bible to a systematic theology. Paul did not found the church at Rome, but he had every intention of visiting that church on his way to Spain. As a result, Paul wrote this epistle as a way of introducing himself to that congregation and to give them an overview of the gospel and what it means in the lives of believers.

After teaching the great doctrine regarding the gospel of God’s righteousness that is ours through faith in Christ in Romans chapters 1—11, Paul begins to exhort us to godly living. How are we to live in light of the saving power of the gospel? That is what Romans 12—16 aims to teach. The practical section of Romans begins with a great “therefore.” Seeing all that God did on our behalf, therefore live like this. And one of the first of Paul’s great exhortations is to be renewed in our minds (Romans 12:1-2).

“God does not save only our souls, while leaving our minds to function on their own. He redeems the whole person. Conversion is meant to give new direction to our thoughts, emotions, will, and habits. Paul urges us to offer up our entire selves to God as “living sacrifices,” so that we will not be “conformed to this world” but be “transformed by the renewal of [our] minds” (Rom. 12: 1-2). When we are redeemed, all things are made new (2 Cor. 5: 17). God promises to give us “a new heart, and a new spirit” (Ezek. 36: 26), animating our entire character with new life. 

This explains why the Bible treats sin primarily as a matter of turning away from God and serving other gods, and only secondarily in terms of lists of specific immoral behaviours. The first commandment is, after all, the first commandment—the rest follows only after we are straight about whom or what it is that we are worshiping. By the same token, redemption consists primarily in casting out our mental idols and turning back to the true God. And when we do that, we will experience His transforming power renewing every aspect of our lives. To talk about a Christian worldview is simply another way of saying that when we are redeemed, our entire outlook on life is re-centered on God and re-built on His revealed truth.” – Nancy Pearcey, Total Truth

Join us in Church for the Tomorrow Mind series and journey through the Bible reading plan as we explore all that God has for us in a transformed mind.

Transforming Your Mind – 7 Days Bible Reading Plan
You may have heard people talking about bodily transformations, but did you know that God wants us to transform our minds? When we choose to trust in Jesus, we become brand-new people. What does it mean for God to transform us and how does it happen? Start the 7-day Bible Reading Plan now.