Paul wrote in Romans 12:1-2, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
The renewal of the mind results in a transformation. The Greek word translated “transformed” is “metamorphoo” from which we get the word metamorphosis. The word is used in Matthew 17:2 when Jesus was “transfigured” before His disciples which was a physical alteration. Verse 2 reads, “His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light.” Yet, the transformation discussed in this text is not a transformation of a physical appearance but of a spiritual change. Thus, we are not surprised that the process to get to that change is a renewal of the mind (Gr. anakainosis). This mental change will conform us to God’s way of thinking. Of course, His thoughts and ways are not our thoughts (Isa. 55:8) but this does not suggest that we must become God in order to have this transformation. The mind is closely associated with perspective and attitude. 1 Peter 4:1-2 reads, “Therefore since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.” Philippians 2:4 reads, “not looking each of you to his own things, but each of you also to the things of others. Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: who, existing in the form of God, counted not the being on an equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men; and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross.” Romans 12:16 reads, “Be of the same mind one toward another. Set not your mind on high things, but condescend to things that are lowly. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Or, consider Colossians 3:2 which reads, “Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth.”
That mind must be single, focused, and resolved to follow the captain of their salvation. The popular motto that asks, “What would Jesus do?” is an attitude that is concerned with imitating the mind of Christ. John 8:29 has Jesus saying, “for I do always the things that are pleasing to him.” Having that attitude and casting oneself in the role of a servant (cf. Matt. 20:28) will immediately produce a transformation in one’s life.