Sanctification Transformation
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” ~ Romans 12:2
The word “conformed” that Paul uses with the Romans is the Greek word συσχηματιζω (soo-skay-ma-tid-zoh). You should be able to recognize the word “schema” from which we get words like “schematic”. Engineers would be familiar with a “schematic” diagram. It is a pattern to follow. The word here literally means to be patterned-together with.
Now the people of Rome would certainly be familiar with patterns. In the textile industry or clothing industry, one works with patterns for making clothes. And when one thinks of patterns for clothes, uniforms come to mind; uniforms of Roman soldiers, perhaps; something else people in that culture would be very familiar with.
What a perfect illustration Paul uses to make his point! Do not let yourself be patterned together with this world. Do not let the world put you into its uniform. Instead, Paul refers to the “renewing of the mind.” This is an expression referring to the new birth. When someone is born again, his mind has been renewed – he is a new creature! That new mind should cause a transformation in the way that person conducts his life. He should not be just like everyone else in the world. He should be different and distinct.
More than that, he has been set free from the condemnation of the law so that he may show love to God and to others. The rest of Romans 12 talks about that very thing. This is the process of Sanctification!
Andy
Dear Christian, You “Really Are” Unleavened
If you are really a Christian, you are unleavened. In the Bible, leaven is used to demonstrate an influence; sometimes the illustration regards evil and other times some sort of other influence. In 1Corithians 5:6-8, the influence spoken of is evil.
Even though Paul had written to the Corinthians before and emphasized the importance of not fellowshipping with those who lead unruly lives, apparently the message didn’t compute.
1Corinthians 5:6 – Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leavens the whole lump? 7 Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. 8 Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.
The point I want to make here in addition to the myriad of texts in the Bible that state Christians are righteous, not merely declared righteous, this text states that we “really are” unleavened. Paul often made statements like this to deliberately emphasize the fact that Christians are righteous beings, not simply labeled as such. In writing to the Romans and telling them of their goodness, he stated “you yourselves” are full of goodness.
Paul used the Passover feast, which included the Feast of Unleavened Bread to make his point.
In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month between the two evenings is the LORD’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD; seven days ye shall eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work. And ye shall bring an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days; in the seventh day is a holy convocation; ye shall do no manner of servile work (Leviticus 23:5-8 KVJ).
In this particular letter to the Corinthians, the Feast of Unleavened Bread is likened to Christian fellowship at least and probably sanctification in general. Both are to be done with “sincerity and truth.” Notice also that Passover was to be a day of rest indicating that the Lamb’s justifying work is complete, but our celebration of the feast looks forward to a rest at the end. The in-between, viz, sanctification, is NOT a rest. In fact, here is how the Passover meal was to be eaten:
Exodus 12:11 – In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the LORD’s Passover.
Lastly, the sanctification feast is to be maximized with purity. Obviously, if we are still leavened, Paul’s warning that “a little leaven leavens the whole lump” makes no sense at all. Why would we care about a little leaven if we are not an unleavened lump? Jesus issued the same warning in Matthew 5:19; those who relax the least of all commandments will be called least in the kingdom of heaven.
Sanctification is not a rest. Sanctification does not take a relaxed attitude towards sin. We are to continually separate our unleavened selves from the leaven of the world. We are NOT the leavened saved by grace.
paul
How Christians Change: Biblical Dynamics of Change in Sanctification
Christians are called to real and lasting change leading to a love for life. We will define sin, the flesh, the heart, and the biblical prescription for overcoming sin.
Friday, 2/20.2015 @7pm.
Show Link:
Basic Principles of Sanctification
1. Sin and weakness are not the emphasis, love is. 1Peter 3:8
2. No fear in regard to justification or condemnation; fear of consequences in sanctification. James 5:9, Philippians 2:12,13, 1John 4:16-19
3. We are truly righteous and good. 1John 3:9, Romans 15:14
4. Rewards for obedience in this present life. Philippians 4:9
5. Justification is a gift, we earn rewards in sanctification. Hebrews 6:10
6. Obedience is love. John 14:15
7. The Holy Spirit is our HELPER, not one who obeys for us. John 14:16
8. Sanctification is NOT a rest. Galatians 5:7, Hebrews 4:9-11
9. Our soul is saved, we await the redemption of the body. Romans 7:24 (“wretched” means: one who is persevering in affliction, NOT personal wickedness). Also Romans 8:23
10. Prayers can be hindered by disobedience. 1Peter 3:7
11. Strive for a clear conscience. Acts 24:16
12. You become enslaved to what you obey. Romans 6:16
13. Sanctification is wisdom for controlling your body. 1Thessalonians 4:3
14. We are resurrected to a reward, not a judgment. Luke 14:14
15. We use the body for Holy purposes: Romans 12:1
16. We desire what we invest in. Matthew 6:21
17. Scripture application to life leads to a life built upon a rock. Matthew 7:24-27
18. Those who do good love life. 1Peter 3:10-12, Psalms 34:12-16
19. The power is in the doing. James 1:25
20. Learning to hate evil and love good. Romans 12:9
21. Practice of truth leads to more understanding. John 17:17, Hebrews 5:14
22. Adding biblical truth to our lives bolsters a feeling of assurance. 2Peter 1:10
23. Our goal is a rich entry. 2Peter 1:11
24. Sin uses desire to tempt us. We must define sinful desires versus godly desires. James 1: 14
25. Teachers are a help, but not efficacious to individual learning. 1John 2:27
26. There is only one judge that we are individually accountable to. Romans 14:12
27. Put off the old habits of the dead you, learn the ways of the new man, and apply them to life. Ephesians 4: 20-24
28. Our practice is “true” righteousness—it is really us doing it. We are “truly” righteous beings. Ephesians 4:24
29. Faith works through love in sanctification. Our faith doesn’t work for salvation of the soul, it works for love. Galatians 5:6
30. Our ultimate goal is the new heavens and new earth. This is the full consummation of The Promise. 2Peter 3:13
31. All three Trinity members help us in our sanctification. Philippians 2:12,13, John 14:16
32. Our sanctification is powered by the same power of the Holy Spirit that raised Christ from the grave. Ephesians 1:18-20
33. Some things are a mystery, but we are individually responsible to learn and obey the majority of Scripture. Deuteronomy 29:29.
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
leave a comment