“TRANSFORMED!”

Romans 12:1-2                              (ESV)

“1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of GOD, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to GOD, which is YOUR SPIRITUAL WORSHIP.

2 DO NOT BE CONFORMED to this world, but be “TRANSFORMED” by the renewal of your mind, that BY TESTING you may discern what is the will of GOD, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”

TRANSFORMED!  

One definition is “to change in condition, nature, or character; convert.”  CONFORMED, on the other hand,  means “to be or become similar in form, nature, or character.”  The change in condition is not something that occurs overnight, rather continually until we have finished the race (1 Timothy 4:7)!  

Believers see a “convert” and expect them to demonstrate what most of us have taken many years of TESTING to develop.  The first time we see the “convert” fail a test, we sometimes are quick to discount their salvation as a ploy to get attention.  They may be simply Spiritually immature and doing what babies do most, finding their limits???

When talking about people GOD uses as an 

Overseer, Scripture is very plain that a “novice” should not be considered?  Why?  Because “...he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3:6). We shouldn’t expect a “novice” Believer to be “tested” enough to be placed in a leadership position at church, regardless of the temptation to capitalize on their zeal.  We cannot expect them to respond with Spiritual maturity when they are still an infant.  

Probably one of the most devout Believers was the Apostle Paul.  Yet in 1 Timothy 1:15 he writes “The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that CHRIST JESUS came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.”  He was continually being “TRANSFORMED” into a vessel to honor and glorify GOD, which was displayed by continuous TESTING!  The TESTING “TRANSFORMED” him !  Only JESUS can “TRANSFORM” a person.