Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)
Up until now, Paul has been laying out his argument for the gospel through displaying how sinful we are and reminding us of God’s holy judgment, how we are saved through faith in Christ alone by God’s grace, and how salvation has been made possible to all through Christ for everyone who believes. And now, Paul begins to express how the gospel should emerge as a response to it in our visible lives. He says that we must “not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of [your] mind.”
We know it is easy to read something, but for the truth to root deep in our heart of hearts to cause drastic change, it requires a mindset shift that is literally beyond this world. So how can we do that? The answer is simple: by renewing our minds through prayer and digging deep in community with an eternal mindset.
Living with an eternal mindset is knowing that we are filled with the Holy Spirit and knowing we have “life and peace” rather than the flesh, which is death (Rom 8:5). This is not the license to do whatever we want—but the Holy Spirit is a direct link to help us discern the will of God that leads to life and peace.
As Jesus was constantly in prayer, seeking the will of the Father, are you constantly in prayer, both in your community and alone in the quiet, about God’s will in your life? And are you listening? As we listen to the Spirit and continue to walk in God’s will, our minds will be continually transformed to His will, not our own.
Recognizing that your brothers and sisters in Christ are on the same walk as you are, and being intentional in community for the glory of God, leads to an eternal mindset. God provides us a community of believers to live life together where we can pour out love, wisdom, and Spirit-led encouragement on each other as our faith is made visible to the world as we become more like Christ.