Pastoral Letters

Romans 12:2

May 1, 2016 Author:Pastor Andrew Tan
A computer will operate according to what kind of software you put into it. Similarly, a human being will behave according to what is in his heart. For any human being who is born into this world, he is born with a sinful nature or a heart whose nature is sin. Hence, as you can expect, he will react to things and people in a sinful way. Thus, if someone hurts you deeply, your natural reaction is to take revenge or wish hurt on that person. If your boss favours your colleague over you, your natural tendency is to get jealous. My point is: your natural reaction to events around you is often sinful because what is stored in you is sinful. How do we change this situation?

First, you need to replace the present life in you that is basically sinful with a new life, the holy life of God, the eternal life, or the life of Jesus Christ by believing in Jesus. Then you will be able to start living a truly holy life that truly pleases God. But this sinful nature although defeated still lives in you. He is like a cunning enemy who although defeated in a decisive war (when Jesus by dying on the cross, he defeated the power of sin), will attack you when you are careless or when you do not keep close to God. How then can we live a holy life? You need to memorise Bible passages that are particularly useful to you. The more Bible verses you store in your heart, the more likely you are to react in a holy way to things and people around you. This is the purpose of Scripture (Bible) memory. I shall continue to explain the next verse: Rom 12:2.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of you mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is, His good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Rom 12:1 urges Christians to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” To do that, Paul says in Rom 12:2 that you do two things. First, “do not conform to the pattern of this world.” The “world” refers to what I have explained in 1 John 2:15-16 (see the pastoral letter dated 6th March), that is, things that can be morally neutral but because of your desires, will cause you to sin against God. This verse urges us to reject the way the world thinks or does things. This rejection alone, however, cannot help you to do right. The question still remains: what then must I do?

This brings me to the second point: “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” In other words, you need to think in a new or holy way. The way you regard the things and people in the world, and even yourself must be “transformed.” What can change or transform our thinking? Only the holy Word of God, the Bible, can do that. The Bible is like a powerful washing powder that is able to wash away every stubborn stain. It also leaves a nice fragrant after having washed the clothes. The Bible is powerful: it is pure truth and contains no falsehood. It is totally reliable. Thus, it will direct you to do things that are correct and which please God. Furthermore, the words of truth have been phrased in such a way that they can motivate and inspire. In this way, you will not only know what to do, you will be strengthened, and motivated and inspired to live according to God’s Word. The result is: “then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is,” that is, in any particular situation in life, be they issues that relate to your personal life, work, family, or relationships, you will know what to do. You will know clearly what is the right and holy thing to do. Also, you will “approve” that will, that is, you will very gladly do what is holy and right. Do you need to make some important decisions in life? Memorise and obey Rom 12:2. Then you will do God’s “perfect will,” that is, what is beneficial for you and glorifying to God.