Study Romans 12:2: How to be renewed and transformed?

“In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the ‘olam hazeh (this world or this age). Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.” (Romans 12:2 Complete Jewish Bible). In this Bible study we will see some tips on how to put the guidelines in this verse into practice

Romans 12:2 is one of the best known verses in the Holy Bible. But how can we make these words a reality in our lives?

For simplicity, we can enumerate the sequence of practical events in this verse as follows:

1. Not conforming to the world, that is, not taking the form of its mentality;
2. Allow yourself to have a mind renewed by God;
3. Understanding what God’s will is
4. Transform!

In short, we are called to leave theories and start practicing! Have we, therefore, had a transformed or conformed life?

What is the transformation of Romans 12:2?

In Greek translations of the writings of the Lord’s disciples, the word for “transform” is “metamorphoó” (μεταμορφόω), from which comes “metamorphosis”, that is, change of form. It appears only 4 times in Greek texts

In addition to Romans 12:2, “metamophoó” also appears in the transfiguration of the Lord, in Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2-3. Here we see that the he literally changes physical/corporeal form before the disciples. This teaches us an interesting lesson. It is just that, just as the Master transforms/transfigures himself from a human figure to a divine one (from the son of God), so we are also invited to transform ourselves from our old human and sinful nature to clothe ourselves with the new man, created to be in the image and likeness of God, following the example of His son (cf. Eph. 4:17-24).

Finally, the last time we read “metamorphoó” in the Greek text is in 2 Corinthians 3:18, which says:

We all, now, having uncovered faces, behold in a mirror the glory of ADONAI; into the same image we are being transformed, from glory to glory, as by ADONAI, the inspiration.

(2 Corinthians 3:18, our adaptation of the Greek text)

When we are purely inspired by God and thereby obey His word, we are transformed into His image more and more, and this reflects His glory in us as well.

But how does all this work out in practice?

Let’s now share some teachings so that the transformation mentioned in Romans 12:2 becomes something practical in our lives.

1) Repentance is the first step towards transformation!

There could be no other step more important than this one!

For us not to conform to this world, that is, not to reflect its sinful form, we need first the experience of repentance of our own sins against God! This is so important that it was practically the first message our Savior began to preach in his ministry; see Mark 1:14,15.

That was the first experience that I personally had with God too. For, on one occasion, I realized that I loved the passions of this world more than the One who created my life! By the way, I have as a reference to this a verse also present in the letter to the Romans, in chapter 1, v. 25.

So once I realized this, I looked for biblical knowledge to know how I could adjust my life to please my Creator. That’s when I started reading the Holy Bible every day.

So, deciding to dedicate my life to God and abandon idolatries, I began to read the teachings of our Lord and Master, Yeshua (“Jesus”), for he is the way that leads us to God (Jn. 14:6).

With each new reading of the Bible, with each knowledge acquired, I was comparing it to my life and looking for what I should change. That’s how the transformation happened! (cf. Ps 119:9).

2) The transformation is to be a new creature!

Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation — the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new!

2 Corinthians 5:17-18
Complete Jewish Bible

Now, in Romans 12:2 we are invited to transform our own lives by renewing our mindset. Becoming a new creature is the direct result of this transformation!

Becoming a new creature is proof that we are no longer conforming to this world. It is proof that the renewing of our minds is coming to life, and that we are being transformed through the word of God!

But notice that without step 1, which is sincere repentance of sins, it is impossible for step 2 to happen. Because how could we be transformed by God if we haven’t made peace with Him? Here we can complement our approach with the text of 2nd Co 5:18-20.

Now, if we want to be transformed and become a new creature, but we have difficulty feeling repentance for our faults, we need to ask God to grant us repentance, because He is the one who gives it! (cf. 2 Tim 2:25,26)

But we must remember that, only by knowing the word of the Lord, is that we will recognize our sins, as he said, “you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Therefore, we need to dedicate time to prayer and Bible study! This is the way to be transformed.

3) Be transformed, and don’t go back!

So if you were raised along with the Messiah, then seek the things above, where the Messiah is sitting at the right hand of God. Focus your minds on the things above, not on things here on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God.

Colossians 3:1-3
Complete Jewish Bible

Of course, the transformation will not happen overnight. It is not simply saying that you now believe in God, and in his Son, that you are already freed from everything and transformed. For the recognition of our transgressions against Him is the first step in starting our process of transformation through His word.

This is precisely why Paul says: “Set your minds on things above”, that is, keep your thoughts on God; keep in continuous process of learning with Him!

After saying this in Colossians 3, the Lord’s emissary (apostle) gives several practical guidelines in the remainder of the chapter for the believer to conduct himself in life. But I’ll leave this reading as homework for you, okay?! 🙂

Now, notice how all the steps covered here are interconnected:

• Repentance: the first thing that happens in the mind to open up the transformation;
• Be a new creature: allow yourself to be transformed;
• Keep the thought in God: the transformation happening continuously!

The transformation of Romans 12:2 only happens in the lives of those who are willing to do it!

Advice like the one Paul gave in Romans 12:2 can be found elsewhere in the Holy Bible, for example:

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice, of all deceit, hypocrisy and envy, and of all the ways there are of speaking against people; 2 and be like newborn babies, thirsty for the pure milk of the Word; so that by it, you may grow up into deliverance.

1 Kefa (Pe) 2:1-2
Complete Jewish Bible

When we study the word of the Lord continuously and let ourselves be transformed by each new learning, we also reflect the glory of God (see Ps 119:97).

Therefore, if you really want to have your mind renewed and your life transformed by God, you need to enjoy reading and studying the Holy Bible! (cf. Ps 1:2)

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