01/29/2020 BE TRANSFORMED
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers [and sisters], 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. [New International translation]
Summary
If there was anyone in the Bible who knew about transformation, most would agree that Paul did!
When we first meet Paul, he was known as “Saul.” Some might call him a “stone-cold killer” and “Public Enemy # 1” to Christians. The Living Bible translation describes him this way:
Paul was like a wild man, going everywhere to devastate the believers [in JESUS CHRIST], even entering private homes and dragging out men and women alike and jailing them.
See, Acts 8:3. Paul described his old self as having a zeal for persecuting Christians (sometimes called the followers of “This Way.” In addition to touting his educational credentials, as having been a pupil of Gamaliel, a strict Pharisee, who educated those under him in a similar strict manner and according to the Jewish laws, (see Acts 22:3), Paul admits that he viewed all Christians as a threat. In Acts 22:4 Paul states:
[I] persecuted the Christians, hounding them to death, biding and delivering both men and women to prison.
Paul acknowledges that he had a reputation for going after Christians. In fact, in Acts 22, he basically says, “ask anyone and they will tell you I’m telling the truth:”
The High Priest or any member of the Council [i.e., the Sanhedrin, the Supreme Council and tribunal of the Jewish people that had religious, civil and criminal jurisdiction] can testify that this is so. I asked them fora letter to the Jewish leaders in Damascus, with instructions to let me bring any Christians I found to Jerusalem in chains to be punished.