11/04/2024
By Pastor Vinnie Cappetta
"From the Inside Out: Offering Your Body and Mind to God"
Romans 12:1-2
Did you know that your body doesn’t actually belong to you? In Romans 6:19, we’re reminded that we are temples of the Holy Spirit—our bodies are not our own. We belong to God, and because of that, He’s entrusted us with these bodies to take care of them for His glory. With that in mind, it makes sense that Paul asks us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to God. It’s like returning to Him what He already owns, honoring Him by giving Him what He’s entrusted to us.
But there’s more to this offering than just our physical selves. Part of presenting our bodies to God means also presenting our minds. And when we do that—when we offer Him our whole selves—He begins a transformation in us that only He can accomplish.
However, there’s something we need to be aware of: God isn’t the only one interested in transforming us. The world has its own agenda, constantly bombarding us with ideas, values, and images that try to mold us into something we were never meant to be. That’s why Paul uses the imagery of fashion in Romans 12:2, warning us not to conform to the patterns of this world. It’s like the world is handing us clothing that doesn’t fit who we are in Christ.
The World’s Influence: A Mismatch in Identity
Let me give you an example. I was watching a TV show where the goal was to transform a woman’s wardrobe. She liked to wear her husband’s old jeans and T-shirts—things that didn’t really suit her job as an interior designer, where she needed to make a good impression on clients. So, the hosts gave her a complete makeover—new clothes, a haircut, and even some makeup. By the end of the show, she looked like a completely different person, ready to make that great first impression.
In a similar way, God wants to transform us—but His goal isn’t just to change the way we look on the outside. His transformation is much deeper. He wants to change the way we think, the way we view the world, and the way we live. The kind of transformation God wants to work in us begins in our minds. He’s not just giving us a new set of clothes; He’s renewing us from the inside out.
The Importance of Mind Renewal
Here’s the key: God’s transformation starts with the renewal of our minds. If we keep holding on to the world’s values—if we keep letting its ideas, images, and attitudes shape us—we’ll never fully understand what God’s will is for our lives. That’s why Paul says in Romans 12:2, “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.”
Just like the woman on the show had to learn how to dress in a way that matched her profession, we have to allow God to reshape the way we think so that our lives can match our identity in Christ. The world may hand us ideas and lifestyles that look appealing, but they don’t fit who we are as followers of Jesus. It’s only by letting God transform our minds that we can truly live out His will for our lives.
God’s Purpose in Our Transformation
But why does God go to all this trouble? Why is He so invested in transforming our minds?
It’s because He wants us to know and understand His will. God’s will isn’t some mysterious thing we can never figure out—it’s something He wants to reveal to us. But to see it clearly, we have to shed the world’s influence and allow Him to renew us. When our minds are aligned with His truth, we start to see the world from His perspective. We can discern what’s good, what’s pleasing to Him, and what’s perfect for our lives.
Think about it like this: God’s will is like a beautiful piece of art, but if we’re wearing the world’s “glasses,” we’ll never see it clearly. We need God to give us a new lens, a renewed mind, so we can understand and live out His purposes.
Practical Reflection
So, the question is: Will you let the transformation begin? God is ready and willing to renew your mind, but it requires a choice on your part. Are you holding on to the world’s ideas, images, and values—things that don’t fit who you are in Christ? What are some specific thoughts or attitudes you need to reject today so that God can begin His work in you?
Take a moment and reflect on Philippians 4:8, where Paul encourages us to think about things that are true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable. These are the kinds of thoughts that align with God’s will. If we let our minds dwell on these things, we give God the space to do His transforming work.
Conclusion: A Daily Choice
Transformation doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a daily choice to offer our bodies and minds to God. The world will always try to dress us in its patterns, but we don’t have to accept what it offers. Instead, we can choose to let God renew us from the inside out, allowing Him to shape our thoughts, our actions, and ultimately, our lives.
Will you let Him begin that transformation today?
