Alan Carr on Romans 12:1-2

Because many Pastors use Romans 12:1-2 to promote their brand of legalism (which deals with externals not internal issues of the heart and mind, the latter of which Paul is talking about when he uses the word "world") I would like to quote some of Alan Carr's great message on this verse from sermonntoebook.org

(Ill. Paul moves from dealing with the body to dealing with the mind. Here is the root of all our problems anyway. When we can get the mind to think as it should, then the body will obediently follow along. In this matter of conquering the mind, there are two steps that must be taken.)

A. Shunning The Mold - We are commanded "be not conformed to this world." The word "conformed" means "to fashion, or to shape." It literally means "to mold". We are not to allow this world to squeeze us into its mold. We are not to allow the world to make us like it is! You see the world, and those who are controlled by its influence, are vastly different from that which God intends men to be. This is made clear by a list of some of the works of the flesh as listed in Gal. 5:19-21. There are many other concepts that could be added to that list, but those are sufficient to see that the world is diametrically opposed to God. We are to avoid being squeezed into the world's mold! We must be different and remain different!

B. Shaping The Mind - Then we are commanded to be "transformed by the renewing of your mind." The word "transformed" gives us our English word "metamorphosis". It describes the transformation a caterpillar goes through to become a butterfly. Did you know that the caterpillar and the butterfly are the same creature? What happens when the caterpillar enters the cocoon and later emerges is that the part of the insect that resides on the inside is allowed to be manifested on the outside.

That is the change God wants to effect in each of His children! You see, He moved into our hearts when He saved us. He transformed our spirit and changed us into His child. Now, He wants to transform the mind (the soulish part of man) so that the flesh might be changed. What we must remember is that this flesh will do what the mind tells it to do. It is only when the mind is changed and brought under the power of God that the flesh can be brought under control.

How is this accomplished? By surrendering the will to God. By filling the mind with the Word of God. By ordering one's life after the teachings and commands of God. By cutting oneself off from the influences of the world and by allowing the Spirit of God to control the mind.

(Ill. There are basically three types of people in the church. These types are distinguished by the way their minds operate. Let me share these three types with you and let's See which category you fall into.

1. The Sensual - This kind of individual is ruled by the physical world around them. They live by their senses. Everything comes down to how they feel, what they see, how they are affected, what they want, what they hear, etc. They may be saved, but they are living far below their potential!

2. The Soulish - These people are those who are ruled by their intellect, their will and their emotions. These folks are harder to spot than the sensual. In fact, there is a very fine line between the soulish person and the truly spiritual person. To be intellectual, emotional or to possess a strong will is not necessarily to be spiritual!

3. The Spiritual - This kind of individual is very rare in the church. These are people who are under the control of the Holy Spirit. He controls their thinking, their actions, their speech. He rules their lives. They have given over total control to Him and they have no life but that which He gives them! This is God's will for every believer - Eph. 5:18.) end quote.

Here Alan correctly uses the word "world" to describe the thought process of the lost world system. This has nothing to do with how you dress or what type of Christian music you listen to. So if a Pastor or Pastors don't like certain styles of Christian music or a way a person dresses please don't commit spiritual robbery with the Word of God and take hand picked verses out of context! Man up and let the Bible speak for itself. When Paul wrote Romans 12 he probably wasn't thinking about contemporary music or blue jeans. God help us to not abuse your Word for our convictions and traditions of men. Father forgive us. God wrote a Book don't abuse it!!!!