So, You Think You Play A Part In Your Own Spiritual Transformation? Hmm…

An interesting comment from another blog post sparked this one.  That post was titled, “Being Transformed by the Renewing of my Mind, I think…” and can be read here.   To be perfectly clear, the following is not about salvation.  It concerns what happens afterwards.  It concerns moving, or being transformed from what we were to what we’re becoming. (1 Corinthians 6:11)

Paul the Apostle said this to the church at Rome:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

The commenter reminded me that the transformation is directly tied to the “offering of our bodies as a living sacrifice.”  My first inclination is to agree, and generally to also agree with the concept that we participate in our own spiritual transformation.  Again, I am not talking about salvation.  I am talking about the renewal that comes afterwards.  

Once thing about the Romans passage which calls into question this concept, is that the verb “be transformed,” is not an active verb.  It is a passive or middle imperative.  In others words, it is something that happens to us versus happening with us.  I still think the case can be made for active participation in our own spiritual transformation, just not conclusively with these verse.

None the less, Do you think you play a part in your own spiritual transformation?

What part? 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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