INL October 18, 2002  

SOUNDING OUT:
Be Ye Transformed

Romans 12:2:
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

  "But" sets the negative command to" be not conformed to this world' in contrast to the positive command to 'be transformed by the renewing of your mind." The combination of action in the forms of "what not to do" and "what to do" is common in contexts that deal with the renewed mind. Similar commands such as "put off" and "put on," also indicate complimentary actions required for the renewing of the mind.

  Since it was profitable to look at the different translations of the negative commands, let's also look at different ways the positive command is handled. Other translations of "be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind" are:

  • Be ye transfigured in the renewing of your mind -- Alford
  • By your new attitude of mind be transformed -- Goodspeed
  • By the new ideals that mold your minds continue to transform yourselves -- Williams
  • Let God remold your minds from within -- Phillips
  • Let yourselves be transformed by a renewing of your minds -- Beck
  • Be transformed by the complete change that has come over your minds -- TCNT
  • Be ye transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind--by its new ideals and its new attitude -- Amplified
  • Be reformed in the newness of your mind -- DRA
  • Be changed and made new in mind -- BBE
  • Be transformed by the renewal of your mind -- NAB
  • Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. -- NTL
  • Let the renewing of your minds transform you -- NJB
  The word "transformed" is the Greek metamorphoo, which means "changed." The English language has borrowed the Greek word and uses "metamorphosis" to speak of a change of form. It is applied to the change that takes place when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. The transformation is extreme and its effects are profound.

  Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2 record the transfiguration of Jesus that Peter, James, and John observed. In their vision, they saw Jesus change into a new form, shining like the sun and brilliant. What a vivid mind picture that provides of the power and glory available to change us today as we are changed into the same glory.

2 Corinthians 3:18:
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

  This transformation is to be carried out by the renewing of the mind. The word "renewing" is in the present tense and indicates a continuous action going on at the present. This did not happen in the new birth or it would be in the past tense. If it were to be done in the future at the gathering together it would be in the future tense. It is neither past or future; it is present. The renewing of the mind will be continuous present tense action until the Lord Jesus Christ gathers us together. We should become masters at renewing the mind because it is an active command that will keep us changing for the better for the rest of our lives.

  We gird up the loins of our minds and commit and dedicate ourselves to effect our transformation because there is another gracious change coming for the believer at the appearing of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 1:13:
Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

  God's Word describes two changes for the believer, and I don't like to talk about the one without bringing up the other. Some believers faint, viewing the renewing the mind as a tedious ongoing process. Instead, the renewing of the mind should be seen as a dynamic "warm-up" for the complete transformation that God will effect in the day our hope is realized.

  One change is effected by the believer, and one change is effected by God. The one effected by the believer is described as a metamorphosis, and it is a continuous ongoing process begun at the new birth and continuing for the rest of his natural life. This radical change is accomplished by the renewing of the mind and is necessary if one is to live rightly in this evil age. This one is up to the believer whose faithfulness to renew his mind will determine how complete the transformation is.

  The other change, which shall be experienced by all believers, is effected by God. This change will take place at the gathering together. This change will be glorious beyond our imagination. Since God is the one Who effects this change you can be sure it will be complete, perfect, and everlasting. The word used to describe this change is allasso.

1 Corinthians 15:51-58
Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed [allasso],
52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. [Allasso refers to an exchange. God will replace our old bodies with new ones. He will replace our mortal and corruptible minds with new ones. He will even provide a new heaven and new earth in which we will live.]
53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

  This change is effected by God, and the whole of creation cries out in anticipation for it. Not only will he change us, He will also change the heavens and the earth to accommodate us.

Romans 8:18-23:
For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed [apokalupto] in us.
19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,
21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of 22 corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

  Although the heavens and earth will change, our God will not. He is ever faithful to His promise, and He will simply fold up and put away the old heavens and earth and provide a more suitable one for us to enjoy in the future.

Hebrews 1:10-12:
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment;
12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed [allasso]: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail.

  This change evidently has reference to the new heavens and new earth, which will be the only suitable habitation for our new bodies. Until it happens we effect a continuous, powerful transformation by the renewing of our minds. The transformation we effect through the renewing of our minds is after all preparation for the complete change when our redemption will be fully realized. Hallelujah! What a day that will be!