Pictures of a Transformed Life

Romans 12:2 (NIV)

²Do 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.

 

Romans 12:9–21 (NIV)

⁹Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

¹⁰Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

¹¹Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

¹²Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

¹³Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

¹⁴Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

¹⁵Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.

¹⁶Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

¹⁷Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.

¹⁸If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

¹⁹Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.

²⁰On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

“You have no idea what a transformed life can do in the hands of Almighty God.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

What does transformation look like in your life?  Here is a picture or indicator of a transformed life:

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TRANSFORMED PEOPLE HAVE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER – vs. 9-10

This Love MUST BE sincere…(NIV)

This love must be without hypocrisy.

Notice that part of being loving and being sincere in that love toward Jesus and others is:

• Hating what is evil
• Clinging to what is good

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TRANSFORMED PEOPLE HAVE SPIRITUAL FERVOR – vs. 11 (NIV and NLT)

Your spiritual fervor should carry over into your business life.  Character!

Enjoy everything God gave you!

We must offer ourselves in service.

Rejoice in hope – vs. 12

Look forward with happy anticipation to all God has in store for us. We don’t have to fear our future when it is in God’s hands.

Before you ask God for anything, thank him for everything.

Sometimes you will get to thanking Him and forget to ask.

Patient in tribulation – vs. 12

We endure patiently when we are going through difficulties because we know that God is in control.

Faithful in prayer – vs. 12

Being faithful in prayer means that I am going to KEEP SPEAKING TO GOD.

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TRANSFORMED PEOPLE ARE GENEROUS AND HOSPITABLE – vs. 13

They are quick to give (not stingy).

Christian hospitality differs from entertaining socially.

Entertaining focuses on the host.  The home must be spotless; the food must be well prepared and abundant; the host must appear relaxed and good-natured.

Hospitality, in contrast, focuses on the guests.

The guest’s needs are the primary concern.  Hospitality can happen in a messy home.

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TRANSFORMED PEOPLE RESPOND DIFFERENTLY TO PERSECUTION – vs. 14

Abraham Lincoln was once criticized for his attitude toward his opponents.

A colleague asked Lincoln, “Why do you try to make friends with them?” “You should try to destroy them.”
The President asked the colleague, “Am I not destroying my enemies when I make them my friends?”

• Your response to your enemies could be the bridge to move them from enemies to friends.
• God could be re-categorizing people in your life. They are now friends instead of enemies.

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TRANSFORMED PEOPLE ARE UNDERSTANDING – vs. 15

Empathy – action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another

Believers need to be able to empathize with others and join in their feelings as if we were experiencing it ourselves.

Christians should rejoice with others, with no hint of jealousy,

And they should mourn with those who mourn by offering kindness, concern, compassion, and a shoulder to cry on if needed.

“You need to be able to dance at somebody else’s party.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

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TRANSFORMED PEOPLE LIVE IN HARMONY WITH OTHERS – vs. 16, 18

Don’t be “a walking bowl of conflict.” – Pastor Billy Johnson

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TRANSFORMED PEOPLE FORGIVE AND DO NOT AVENGE THEMSELVES – vs. 17a, 19, 20

“Everyone says forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.” – C.S. Lewis

We should treat our enemies with kindness so that they will become ashamed and turn from their sins. Even if they don’t, we are doing right.

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TRANSFORMED PEOPLE USE GOODNESS AS A WEAPON – vs. 21

• “Conquer what is evil by doing what is good.” This verse is best taken as a summary statement of what Paul has said in verses 17–20.
• Don’t bring yourself to their level. Defeat the evil by doing good.

 

In Our Transformation Journey:

• We must PROTECT the WORD
• We must COOPERATE WITH THE PROCESS.
• We must CELEBRATE THE PROGRESS.
• We must CONTINUE to PARTICIPATE.