“Be Transformed” Romans 12:2. Through Christ we can become new people, holy people, if we are...

““Be Be Transformed”Transformed”

Romans 12:2Romans 12:2

Through Christ we Through Christ we can become new can become new

people, holy people, holy people, if we are people, if we are

willing to change!willing to change!1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-101 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10

The Need for ChangeThe Need for Change

Change is one of the most difficult Change is one of the most difficult tasks we face as Christians.tasks we face as Christians.

All of us have behaviors and practices All of us have behaviors and practices that we have developed in disobedience that we have developed in disobedience to God’s word (to God’s word (Eph. 2:1-3Eph. 2:1-3). ).

All sin, no matter how much a part of All sin, no matter how much a part of us it has become, has the power to us it has become, has the power to keep us out of heaven (keep us out of heaven (1 John 3:3-6, 81 John 3:3-6, 8).).

The Need for ChangeThe Need for Change

In order to follow Christ we must learn In order to follow Christ we must learn to deny ourselves (to deny ourselves (Matthew 16:24-25Matthew 16:24-25). ).

This requires some sacrifice on our This requires some sacrifice on our part: part: Giving up those things which are wrong, no Giving up those things which are wrong, no

matter how important they once were to us.matter how important they once were to us. Putting on those things which are good and Putting on those things which are good and

right.right. Those who are not willing to make Those who are not willing to make

changes in their lives according to changes in their lives according to God’s word cannot please God.God’s word cannot please God.

The Sin of Not ChangingThe Sin of Not Changing

Matthew 7:21-23Matthew 7:21-23: Those who do not : Those who do not do the will of God. do the will of God.

Hebrews 10:26-29Hebrews 10:26-29: Those who live in : Those who live in sin after receiving the knowledge of sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth. the truth.

Ezek. 33:30-33Ezek. 33:30-33: Jerusalem was : Jerusalem was destroyed because, even though destroyed because, even though Judah gladly received the word of Judah gladly received the word of God, they did not act upon it.God, they did not act upon it.

The Sin of Not ChangingThe Sin of Not Changing

So long as we continue to live the way So long as we continue to live the way we are, we cannot be saved. we are, we cannot be saved.

God has done His part by sending His God has done His part by sending His Son and giving us the gospel. Son and giving us the gospel.

Now we must do our part by living in Now we must do our part by living in obedience to that gospel. obedience to that gospel.

This requires that we make some This requires that we make some changes in our lives (changes in our lives (Hebrews 6:9, Hebrews 6:9, 11-1211-12). ).

How to ChangeHow to Change Many have tried to make changes and Many have tried to make changes and

failed.failed. Some have developed the idea that they will Some have developed the idea that they will

never be able to overcome.never be able to overcome. Some have decided they don’t want to give up Some have decided they don’t want to give up

what they are doing. That is what they have what they are doing. That is what they have always done, that is what they will continue to always done, that is what they will continue to do. do.

How can we change something as stubborn How can we change something as stubborn as sin?as sin?

God gives us the tools we need in the God gives us the tools we need in the scriptures. scriptures.

How to ChangeHow to Change

To begin with, God shows us what is To begin with, God shows us what is right and what is wrong. This is our right and what is wrong. This is our foundation for making our way right foundation for making our way right ((Psalm 119:9-12Psalm 119:9-12).).

Only when we learn God’s word in an Only when we learn God’s word in an effort to do it can we truly “be effort to do it can we truly “be transformed by the transformed by the renewing of your renewing of your mindmind.”.”

How do we put this to work in our lives? How do we put this to work in our lives?


DesireDesire If we are going to make any changes in our If we are going to make any changes in our

lives, we have to want it. lives, we have to want it. We have to make a choice as to what we We have to make a choice as to what we

desire more—righteousness or desire more—righteousness or condemnation.condemnation.

Our salvation is by choice, as is our service Our salvation is by choice, as is our service to God. to God.

What made Moses such a successful What made Moses such a successful servant of God? He made a choice! servant of God? He made a choice! Hebrews 11:24-26Hebrews 11:24-26. .


DesireDesire The thing that prevents many people The thing that prevents many people

from overcoming sin is that they still from overcoming sin is that they still desire the sin (desire the sin (James1:14-15James1:14-15). ).

Therefore we must change our desires:Therefore we must change our desires: By learning the true nature of sin.By learning the true nature of sin. By learning to love the good and hate the By learning to love the good and hate the

bad. bad. Rom. 12:9Rom. 12:9: “Abhor what is evil. Cling : “Abhor what is evil. Cling

to what is good.”to what is good.”


DesireDesire The thing that prevents many people The thing that prevents many people

from overcoming sin is that they still from overcoming sin is that they still desire the sin (desire the sin (James1:14-15James1:14-15). ).

Therefore we must learn to “Abhor Therefore we must learn to “Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.”what is evil. Cling to what is good.”


DesireDesire Learn to set our desires on things that Learn to set our desires on things that

are good.are good. Desire the scripture more that a bad movie.Desire the scripture more that a bad movie. Desire truth more than a lie. Desire truth more than a lie. Desire faith more than anxiety. Desire faith more than anxiety. Desire fellowship and worship more than the Desire fellowship and worship more than the

game.game. Desire righteousness and good works more Desire righteousness and good works more

than smoking, drinking, carousing, etc.than smoking, drinking, carousing, etc.


DesireDesire If we desire it enough to seek it, God has If we desire it enough to seek it, God has

promised that we will find it (promised that we will find it (Matthew 7:7-8Matthew 7:7-8). ). If we ask it will be given.If we ask it will be given. If we seek we will find.If we seek we will find. If we knock it will be openIf we knock it will be open

This progression shows a growing desire and This progression shows a growing desire and effort that is needed for overcoming sin.effort that is needed for overcoming sin.

Soon a simple desire to do better will become Soon a simple desire to do better will become unwavering determination to conquer. unwavering determination to conquer.


Call Sin for What it IsCall Sin for What it Is Some who have the desire cannot see Some who have the desire cannot see

clearly.clearly. Sin is deceptive, it blinds us to its true Sin is deceptive, it blinds us to its true

nature (nature (Revelation 3:17Revelation 3:17; ; 2 Cor. 11:142 Cor. 11:14). ). When we practice sin long enough our When we practice sin long enough our

consciences become seared so that it consciences become seared so that it does not feel wrong any more (does not feel wrong any more (1 Tim. 1 Tim. 4:24:2). ).


Call Sin for What it IsCall Sin for What it Is Through the scriptures God is able to help Through the scriptures God is able to help

us see clearly (us see clearly (Eph. 4:17-24Eph. 4:17-24). ). Like putting on a pair of glasses.Like putting on a pair of glasses. Like seeing ourselves in a mirror for the first Like seeing ourselves in a mirror for the first

time (time (James 1:22-25James 1:22-25). ). We are able to see sin for what it really is.We are able to see sin for what it really is.

Sometimes, we see things in our lives that we Sometimes, we see things in our lives that we don’t want to see.don’t want to see.

Many people are reluctant to admit it.Many people are reluctant to admit it. Many people deny it.Many people deny it.


Call Sin for What it IsCall Sin for What it Is If we are going to make the proper If we are going to make the proper

changes in our lives then we need to changes in our lives then we need to be honest with ourselves.be honest with ourselves.

We must call sin for what it is!We must call sin for what it is! Lawlessness (Lawlessness (1 John 3:41 John 3:4). ). Wickedness (Wickedness (James 1:21James 1:21). ). Rebellion (Rebellion (Jude 11Jude 11). ).


Call Sin for What it IsCall Sin for What it Is When we acknowledge the true nature of our When we acknowledge the true nature of our

sins then we can develop the right attitude sins then we can develop the right attitude toward them. toward them.

Psalm 101:3-4Psalm 101:3-4: “I will set nothing wicked : “I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will not know heart shall depart from me; I will not know wickedness.”wickedness.”

Here again we are renewing our minds Here again we are renewing our minds concerning the way we think about sin. concerning the way we think about sin.


Cast Sin AwayCast Sin Away Like discarding a filthy, stained garment Like discarding a filthy, stained garment

we must cast sin away.we must cast sin away. Rom. 6:6Rom. 6:6: “…knowing this, that our old : “…knowing this, that our old

man was crucified with Him, that the body man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with…”of sin might be done away with…” Not gently set aside, but put off (strip off, Not gently set aside, but put off (strip off,

despoil, disarm)!despoil, disarm)! Not gradually work it out, but put to death!Not gradually work it out, but put to death! See the urgency in this.See the urgency in this.


Cast Sin AwayCast Sin Away Some take the gradual approach. Some take the gradual approach. Overcoming sin is gradual enough with Overcoming sin is gradual enough with

our making even slower. our making even slower. If we move too slow we begin to get If we move too slow we begin to get

comfortable. comfortable. We may improve, but not all the way. We may improve, but not all the way. We begin to feel that we have done good We begin to feel that we have done good

enough when in fact we still have sin in our enough when in fact we still have sin in our lives. lives.


Cast Sin AwayCast Sin Away Overcoming sin requires diligent Overcoming sin requires diligent

determination. determination. It requires immediate change. It requires immediate change.

Understand that we may not succeed the Understand that we may not succeed the first or second time. first or second time.

But we must continue to put all or our effort But we must continue to put all or our effort into. into.

Then, as we struggle, we will become Then, as we struggle, we will become stronger.stronger.


Replace the Evil with the GoodReplace the Evil with the Good Casting sin away: easier said than done, right?Casting sin away: easier said than done, right? Remember, change is difficult (Remember, change is difficult (Matt. 7:13Matt. 7:13).). The key is not be idle. The key is not be idle.

Don’t just stop smoking, do something productive.Don’t just stop smoking, do something productive. Don’t just stop partying and drinking, replace it Don’t just stop partying and drinking, replace it

with something good and wholesome. with something good and wholesome. Planning things during church services? Rearrange Planning things during church services? Rearrange

your schedule so that you can make it to every your schedule so that you can make it to every service.service.


Replace the Evil with the GoodReplace the Evil with the Good Matt. 12:43-45Matt. 12:43-45 Eph. 4:22-24Eph. 4:22-24 Gal. 5:19-26Gal. 5:19-26


Remember the BenefitsRemember the Benefits With every sacrifice come rewardsWith every sacrifice come rewards 1 Cor. 15:581 Cor. 15:58 When we change our lives for the When we change our lives for the

better, not only will we have the better, not only will we have the hope of eternal life, but the quality hope of eternal life, but the quality of our life on this earth will see of our life on this earth will see drastic improvements as well. drastic improvements as well.

“Be Transformed” Romans 12:2. Through Christ we can become new people, holy people, if we are...

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