Transform, Don't Conform | Guest Speaker Keith Smith | Romans 12:9–21

What does a transformed life truly look like?

Guest speaker Keith Smith opens Romans 12:9–21 to show that Christianity is more than outward behavior—it's a complete renewal of the heart and mind. As followers of Christ, we are called to be living sacrifices who genuinely love others, pursue peace, bless those who persecute us, and overcome evil with good. 

In this sermon, you'll discover:

•  What it means to be transformed instead of conformed to the world 
•  The marks of genuine Christian living 
•  How to respond to conflict, offense, and persecution like Christ 
•  Why overcoming evil with good is central to the Christian life 
•  How the renewing of our minds changes every area of our lives 

Speaker: Keith Smith (Guest Speaker)
Scripture: Romans 12:9–21

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Transcript

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SPEAKER_00 0:10

Good morning. Please turn in your Bibles to Romans chapter twelve. Romans chapter twelve. While you're turning to Romans, I want to welcome everyone here, both member and visitor alike. If you're a visitor, we certainly welcome you and want to tell you that we are in uh kind of the back end of a series on Romans, and I would encourage you to access our past services online to enjoy those studies as they have been presented. If you'll hang around a bit after services, we'd love to get to know you a little bit better. We thank you for visiting and invite you back anytime our doors are open. Thank you. Let's get into it. Romans chapter 12. I'm going to start in verse 9. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil. Hold fast to what is good. Love one another and brotherly with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be thoughtful in zeal. Be fervent in spirit. Serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation. Be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice with those who weep. Live in harmony with another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. We have clearly picked this portion up of the text in the middle of a flowing thought from the Apostle Paul. We have actually read a bit into a lesson that has already been given by George, and we aren't going to spend much time there because he really did a great job with that. Paul is making a statement about how exactly we are to transform. Notice up in verse 2, where Paul is instructing the Roman brethren and us that we must not be conformed to the world as Christians. As Christians, we are a new creation. If you're a visitor here, you may have never heard that before. Maybe it's the first time you've heard it, but when we become saved, when we take on Christ and follow him as our Savior, when we are baptized believers, we become a new creation. Notice in 2 Corinthians chapter 5. Verse 17, it says, Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come. Also, Galatians 6 15, for neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Also, Ephesians 4 23, 24, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God and true righteousness and holiness. Almost like the same person was writing every one of these. What kind of news is this? And that is the case. This is the best news. I'll have more to say about this later this morning. Back to Romans 12. Paul has been explaining what this means. What is a new creation? And that we are to be transformed by the renewal of our mind. Some of us may not realize this fact, and we may still be doing those things we did before we were Christians. You haven't transformed. You haven't fully sacrificed that old life. Your lives haven't changed, except maybe on two days a week. But we see throughout Scripture that our lives, our decisions, our thoughts and actions all need to change. We are to think on these things in our lives. Do they bring honor? Do they bring glory to God? The transformation that brings awe, as in Acts 2.43. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. I've been teaching the teen and college classes in the last few quarters, and we have considered this threshold, and threshold it is, that has to be considered as believers. What if everything in this book, all the stories, all the prophets and their prophecies, all the accounts pointing directly toward Jesus and even Jesus Himself, what if they're actually real? Some people seem to have some sort of social construct of religion and believe if I if I go to a church building and live a quiet life and do a lot of make-believe that I'll be taken care of. That's not what's happening here. What if it's all real? What if the creator of the universe, to include me and you, is real? And what if God sent his only son Jesus to save you and me from an eternal damnation? And what if his church, made up of believing, practicing followers that were set and focused with full intent, were given a way to act and to think and to live, were real. Not a suggestion, no gray area, no psychedelic, undefined, highly suggestible way to be. No, what if we were really told what to do and how to act and think and live our lives to glorify God and worship Him as we should. Here it is. God's word. It is real. You may be thinking, of course it's real. I don't mean to insult your intelligence, but sometimes we can act like he's afar off, like he's not real. Like we can act and do however we want to and still proclaim his him as God. Just so we proclaim him doesn't give us permission to act anyway. In fact, it's just the opposite. Paul is telling us here we must be transformed. The apostle Paul is telling the Roman brethren and us what is expected and what can be expected as a child of God. He recognizes that we are all individuals and that we bring to bear different gifts in this chapter. None of us are more important than the other, but we're all needed. We all need each other. There are some who want to be a part of the body, but don't want to be a part of the body. We are to operate as a body, not like a sock or an earring. We're to be a part of the body. You're not just trying it on, not ready to commit. We operate as a body would, and Jordan and Nate brought us some excellent lessons to bring home that fact. Then Paul picks up in verse 9 and begins to tell us what indicators of a true Christian are. Is your love genuine? Do you hate evil? That's a really strong word. Hate. You have it in your heart, here's an avenue to do it. Hate evil. Do we hold fast to what is good? Is brotherly affection in our lives? Are we zealous, fervent in spirit? Do we serve the Lord or ourselves? Do we rejoice in the hope that is in our lives now? Do we do tribulations weigh heavy on us or do we patiently endure them? Do we talk to God often in good times and bad? Do we take care of each other and show hospitality? Is this a checklist? It certainly can be, and if you're looking at it as one, it's certainly a good checklist to go by. But I would suggest that if our hearts are truly transformed, we're doing these things naturally. Are they hard to follow? They could be, but being a Christian isn't about living off a checklist. These things should be byproducts. Byproducts of the life you have agreed upon. If you're having problems with that list, we haven't even got to the hard ones. Yeah, it gets it gets tougher. Those are the easy ones. Let's try this one on for size. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse them. What? Who? How are we supposed to do that? Is is Keith telling you to be a doormat? Is Paul telling us to be a doormat? Is is God, is Christ telling us to be a doormat? Not at all. I don't think anyone would accuse Jesus of being a doormat. Yet he lived this way. People were in awe. It was a God-fearing awe. Remember the people that saw Jesus and heard him teach. It changed their lives. Look in Matthew chapter five, verse forty-four. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, Jesus says. This is unnatural. Human nature says, insult back, hurt back. Retaliate. The flesh wants revenge. This is what a living sacrifice does. Discard it. Discard that. This is what transformation means. We are no longer slaves to the flesh, to this world. The renewing of our mind, which has to happen, changes us into this new creation. Instead of insulting back, we pray for them. We refuse bitterness. We leave judgment to God. Why? Because that was what was extended to us. Christ died for us, even when we were still sinners, Romans 5.8. It has nothing to do with what they deserved. And it has everything to do with how Christ treated us. I think it's easier to digest the last bit of this chapter if we just skip to the end. I mean, we'll need to come back and look at the rest eventually, but if we look at what we're trying to accomplish, maybe it will make more sense. Look at verse 21. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. This is a real pivotal verse within the chapter. Here is the end goal, our influence, and not even our influence. We should think of it as Christ's influence. If he doesn't have such an influence upon us, if he doesn't make us change how we think and how we act, if he doesn't truly transform us, verse 2, into a new creation, are we truly his? Did we just get wet? Are we in awe of the love of Jesus? Are we just playing make-believe? Is everything he says truly that difficult? Then we don't have any idea of who Jesus is, of who God is. God has called us out of this world, this filthy, sin-filled, barbaric, uncaring world. And he's asked something of us, the creator of everything, of you, of me, and the creator of all that is good has thought of us. How special is that? His creation and he wants the best for his creation. He wants a relationship, not with a sinful, prideful, unthankful us, and the only way he can do that is through Christ. Through accepting him. He wants us to be a righteous influence in the world. We are to show his loving favor that others might seek him as well. So how are we doing? When we are wronged, when we're offended, when we don't get our way, when tempers flare, when we are forgotten or injured, or cheated, sick, tired of all manner of things that this world employs to get on top of everyone else. How are we doing? Do we conform to it? Do we conform to this world? It's what we know. We all came from somewhere in the world, and chances are we'll revert to how we learn how to be. By nature, we are quite selfish. Ask me how I know. I can talk about me and my wants and my hates and my desires and my aches and pains and abuses and hurts for a very long time. And and me, and me, me, and me again, and me all day long. There is a better way. Notice Philippians chapter 3, starting in verse 3. Verse 3, do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interest, but also to the interest of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus. How you might ask, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God, a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men, and being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Why would he do such a thing? Look at verse 10. So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. We are to transform, to follow our Savior's lead. What a transformation he went through. Well, I could never do that. It's impossible. It's not me. That's not who I am. Let's look at the verses again. This is plain language. I'm not breaking each of these down verse by verse today. Paul is a very straightforward teacher. He leaves very little to our own interpretation, no hidden gray area here. And we've got to appreciate that. Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no evil, no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him something to drink. For by doing so, you will heave burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome evil by evil, but overcome evil with good. And then go back and notice verse one. Why does this seem so hard? Because it cost us something. That's wild. It cost us something. It's a sacrifice, a living sacrifice. Isn't it amazing that God doesn't ask for something like the sacrifices of old, void of life? But he wants us to live for him, to live a living sacrifice in this way. How far is it from heaven to earth? Jesus knows. I suppose it's vast, yet he did it. Because he loves us. He did it because he wants everyone to know him. Can we not try? Does the love that God has given and continues to give not affect us at all? Can we not try? Verse 18. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Are we dug into our own selves that we don't even consider the people around us? That is the purpose. What happens when we dig our heels in? Evil wins, and God's purpose through you loses. This is nothing new. Psalm 34, 14 tells us to turn away from evil and do good. Seek peace and pursue it. Matthew 5.9, blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. I want to be called son of God. Matthew 5, 39, turn the other cheek. Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if anyone would sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Hebrews 12.14, strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. Why? The last part of Hebrews 12.14 is really telling that no one will see the Lord. Our influence is greater than we could possibly know. And especially if we have Christ in our heart, what is more radical than leaving revenge to God? It shows your allegiance. It takes the fire out of the evil one. It puts question into question the world's antics and points directly at what in the world are you doing? It reflects upon this world a godly light. Look with me in Ephesians chapter 4, starting in verse 21. Paul here is addressing the Ephesian brethren, assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him in verse 21, as the truth is in Jesus. Here again, we are to act like we have been taught about Jesus. Sometimes we act like we never heard him or his teachings. Verse 22, to put off your old self. Here it is again, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. Be angry and do not sin. Do not let the sun go down on your anger, and give no opportunity to the devil. Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up as fits the occasion. Ever had that urge to just push somebody's button? Maybe we ought not to do that. If it doesn't build them up, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you are sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you. When we proclaim Christ and act the fool, we aren't the only fool. We're proclaiming God the fool, the fool, Jesus the fool. We wear his name. Something we always need to remember. We are to be mindful of our actions, our anger, our thoughts, yes, even our lives. The admonition is to transform, to sacrifice what was old. Whose are we? Christ or the world. Christ, through Paul, is telling us that we need to transform. Do not, verse 27. Give the devil a foothold. No opportunity for evil. What Paul is proclaiming is not something that is done overnight. But sometimes even the most seasoned Christian has problems with this. Maybe that Christian thinks they're seasoned but has never transformed. Maybe that Christian doesn't know any better. It's hard to believe. Maybe they don't know any better. Maybe that Christian has given the devil a foothold in their life. Regardless of what it is, we can learn and do better. How? Through the renewal of our mind. Through the sacrifice of our old self. Paul doesn't leave anything to question here. Living peaceably doesn't sound so bad, you know. Unless I'm offended. Then I've got real problems. What if I'm offended? What if I'm offended easily? Do you have to live peaceably also? Or does the wheels have to come off the axle every time you're offended? Is it no holds bar when we get offended? Again, we are to be removed from thinking like this world thinks, especially in the current culture. The Roman culture was aid up with status and high-mindedness, not unlike ours. But it seems almost like I'm offended could be people's last name. If someone is actually offending you, then we have some guidance as well. Notice Matthew 18, 15. If your brother sins against you, you go and tell your best friend and anyone else wants to hear some gossip. No. No. Go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. Notice this is a brother that is sinning against you. Their intent is to offend you. This is not if you take offense at something someone does or says without that intention. But that's addressed as well. Proverbs 19 11. Good sense. That's asking a lot sometimes. Good sense makes one slow to anger. And it is his glory to overlook an offense. Proverbs 15:1. A soft answer turns away wrath. But a harsh word stirs up anger, addressing what if happens right in front of your face. You don't have to jab back. You're encouraged not to jab back. And look at 1 Peter chapter 3. Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless. Bless. For to this you were called that you may obtain a blessing. Ever known someone that would just say, That's just how I am. If I offend someone, well, they're offended. Well, first off, God gives us a brain. And B, we're asked to use that brain. For if they know or knew it might offend someone, then they need to use that brain and just not say it. You don't have to respond to everything. I know this is groundbreaking. This is a revelation. But we do not have to commit or comment on everything. When we look at scripture and how it really does flow with continuity in this vein, it's truly amazing. That's exactly what God wants people to say when they see our transformed reaction. That's amazing. Why do you do that? How do you do that? It's our great opportunity to jump in and proclaim our great God. These verses in the last section of chapter twelve may seem unsurmountable, monumental, unable to be obtained, but with a renewed mind, a true sacrifice for old sinful ways, a life striving toward God through Christ, truly transforming our lives from what we were before to a caring, thoughtful, thoughtful person eager to please God because of who he is and what he's done for each one of us. In Matthew chapter 17, Jesus is telling his apostles, then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, Why could we not cast it out? referring to a demon that they could not cast out. He said to them, Because of your little faith. For truly I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, Move from here to there, and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you. Here in Romans 12 is a mountain. As much as it pertains to you, move that mountain. Fully embrace and realize that God will do what He says. Trust in the Lord and move that mountain. If I have missed any, or if you've missed any part of this sermon, nodd out, nodded off. I've got great news for you. George has written a great article this morning. It's probably word for word of my sermon. Thanks, George. Very good, very good article, with few exceptions. I talked early on, and so does Paul about transformation. This is what God has graciously given his creation. It's an invitation to leave our sin-filled lives behind, to bury that old man, that worldly person, and to arise anew through baptism, to a life provided and guided by Christ Himself. And this is nothing of our undoing. It is God's love that extends this and that transforms us, his love that fills our lives full of the things we talked about today, so we can discard our old sinful lives. It's transformative. If you recognize that you're stuck in sin, because that's where sin leads, and you recognize that only Jesus, God's Son, is the only way to Him because He is, then what's keeping you from being baptized today? Washing those sins away, starting the new creation, like we talked about? God wants you to respond today. We want you to respond today. Please do so as we stand and sing.