Change

What comes to your mind when you hear of Change? In American historical election, during the campaign of Barack Obama, everyone talks “change.” Whether or not the common person really knows what change means, is another matter. Merely rearranging the main concern is not change. Going the same way from a different angle is not change.

Change means to become different, undergo transformation, to be peculiar, etc.
Rom. 12:1-15:13 explains the attitude and behavior expected of Christians at Rome.
Clearly Paul had been well informed of the needs of believers at Rome. Christian living is simply being a Christian and acting as a Christian should, in every part of life. No canal Christian.

Vs.1-2 - The language here is from the OT, and reminds us that Jewish believers presented sacrifices to the Lord. But Christian believers, instead of giving something outside themselves, are to offer their own bodies to God as living, holy, and acceptable sacrifices. Our bodies include the Will, Emotion & Intellect. This type of sacrifice is a spiritual service involving all of their rational powers.

There are two parts of change we will look into: Negative & Positive change.

1) THE NEGATIVE CHANGE VS. 2A
Conforming to the world means to agree with the world in one's mind and character, do the acceptable things of the world, obey their rules, and play their games.
Eph 2:2- Do not conform either to the lusts of the flesh or the lusts of the eye.


2) THE POSITIVE CHANGE VS. 2B
Transformation means to change into another form, to be converted, renovated and makeover. On the mount of transfiguration Christ appearance was changed and was glorious with divine brightness, even after His resurrection. When transformation takes place, doing the Will of God follows.

For a positive change, there must be: vs. 2b
1. A renewal of mind (The mind, comprising alike the faculties of understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining). Conversion and sanctification are the renewing of the mind, a change not of the body, but of the qualities of the soul.
2. A prove of what is good.
3. A prove of what is acceptable both by God and humanity.
4. A prove of what is perfect.


Application:
Change only takes place when you do 3 things:-
A. Decide to change. It begins with a decision, Jesus calls to us, and we respond. '"Follow me and be my disciple," Jesus said to him so Matthew got up and followed him' (Matthew 9:9).

B. Change the way you think. 'Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think' (Romans 12:2 NLT). Change starts in your mind. The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act. So wash your mind, feed your mind, and program your mind with God's Word.

C. Take a small step every day. Most of us want overnight change. Change comes slowly. To be successful we must start with small things and do them every day.
St. Francis de Sales said, 'Have patience with all things, but chiefly have patience with yourself. Do not lose courage in considering your own imperfections…..' You may say, 'But I fall '. We all do. Don't be discouraged. The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not protect you.


CONCLUSION:

Conforming to this world is the great enemy to this renewing of mind, which we must avoid every day if we need a change. God is ready to help us be transformed when we stop gossip, tribalism, hatred and cheating. These are not Christian attitude or character. This transformation is here as a duty; not that we can work such a change ourselves: it is God's work. Thus to be changed or transformed, we need to surrender ourselves to God.