Daily Devotion, June 30, 2021

 

Devotion:

Read Romans 12.

The Apostle Paul experienced and understood well the mercies of God. Prior to his conversion to being a believer and follower of Christ, he was persecuting the new communities of Christ followers. Here in Romans 12, Paul is calling the church at Rome, “in view of God’s mercy” to new ways of living which follow Christ’s ways, “as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God---this is your spiritual act of worship.”

Paul’s comparison and use of the words “conform and transform'' have always captured my attention. To conform means to take the shape or pattern of something else. Paul writes, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed…”

“Transform” is translated from the Greek word similar to the English word metamorphosis. Metamorphosis is often used to describe how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. Everything changes and it can’t return to its original form! Paul is calling the church to transformation by the renewing of its mind so that the church “will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, God’s good pleasing and perfect will.” 

In verses 3-13 Paul is calling the church to live in unity, peace, love and community such that each person functions out of the gifts that they have been given to love and serve one another.

And in verses 14-21, Paul is calling the church to live counter-intuitively to our typical ways, opposite to the ways of the world. For example, he begins his list with “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse...” Following in these ways could bring transformation in and for the world!

There is so much in Romans 12 and I encourage you to read it in several translations. Many commentaries describe this chapter as “Lessons in Humility”. It can take a lifetime to understand the blessings of this way of living and it is truly transformative in and through the mercies of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Personal Worship Option:

Lord, too often we conform to the patterns of this world instead of allowing you to transform us by the renewing of our minds. We ask for your forgiveness. We thank you for your mercy. By your Holy Spirit, help us to examine our ways and then open our eyes to see and follow more closely in Your ways. Amen.