THE PROFFER OF TWO LIFESTYLES

Romans 12:2

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   There is an old adage that states:  “As long as there is breath, there is life.”

 

B.   We can also state:  “As long as there is life, there is a choice.”

 

C.   The proffers, that is, the lifestyles from which we can choose, are only two in number.

1.    The two proffers differ in spelling by only one letter, the letter, “L.”

2.    One selection is the world.  The other selection is the Word.

 

D.   In Romans 12:2, Paul counsels us regarding our selection.

 

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.

 

E.   You may have guessed the title of our lesson:  “The Proffer of Two Lifestyles.”  Let’s consider Paul’s counsel in more detail.

 

I.             THE COUNSEL TO REFRAIN

 

A.   “And be not conformed to this world…”

 

B.   “Be” is an action verb indicating what one should become.  However, Paul follows this with the word “not.”  Thus, he is telling us what we should not become.

 

C.   Do not be conformed to this world.

1.    The world is the sphere of evil, the domain of wickedness, the kingdom of Satan. 

a.    John describes it with three phrases in 1 John 2:16.

 

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.

 

b.    The world involves all of the thoughts, words, and actions that are carnal, devilish, sensual, and sinful.

2.    Paul exhorts the Romans not to conform to these things.

a.    Conform

1)    Strong (4964):  to fashion alike, that is, conform to the same pattern

2)    Thayer:  to conform one’s self (i.e., mind and character) to another’s pattern

3)    Vine: to fashion or shape one thinkng like another

b.    Example:  The sculptures of the artists that are sold by Park West Gallery.

1)    The artist makes the original sculpture.

2)    Then, a mold is made of the original. 

3)    From the mold comes forms of the original.  When properly painted, they look almost identical to the original.

c.    Paul counsels Christians not to be poured into the mold of the world.

1)    Don’t think like the world.

2)    Don’t talk like the world.

3)    Don’t act like the world.

d.    Peter used the same terminology when addressing his readers in 1 Peter 1:14.

 

As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lust in your ignorance.

 

II.           THE COUNSEL TO REVOLUTIONIZE

 

A.   “…but be ye transformed…”

 

B.   Notice Paul uses the verb “be” again.  This is what he wants his readers to become.

 

C.   We have titled the section:  “Be revolutionized.”

1.    Revolutionized:  to affect a radical change

2.    Question: 

a.    Is there a radical change from a caterpillar to a butterfly?

 

          

 

b.    This change is called a metamorphosis.

3.    This is the word used by Paul to describe the action he wants the Roman Christians to complete.

a.    Be transformed.

b.    Greek:  metamorphoo, meta (change) and morpho (form)

c.    Change your form

d.    Vine:  “the obligation to undergo a complete change, which under the power of God will find expression in character and conduct”

 

D.   Instead of being like the world, we have to be something completely different.

1.    According to the last three words of Romans 12:2, Paul wants us to be transformed into “the will of God.”

2.    NOTE:  The will of God is found in the Word of God.  This is why we refer to the second proffer for a lifestyle as “the Word” that stands in stark contrast to “the world.”

 

III.         THE COUNSEL TO RENEW

 

A.   “…by the renewing of your mind…”

 

B.   The way a person revolutionizes or transforms his/her life is by the renewing of the mind.

 

C.   The minds of men are poisoned by the world as they grow up in the environment of the world.

1.    We are easily influenced by it.

2.    We often accept the words and works of the world as being natural and normal.

3.    We even have a tendency to put the world’s practices in our lives.

D.   To change this, we have to renew our minds through a study of God inspired and holy Word.

1.    We start by reminding ourselves as we read the Bible that this is what God says.  Yes, men wrote it, but they wrote only what the Holy Spirit gave them to write (2 Sam. 23:2).

 

The Spirit of the LORD spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.

 

2.    Since these words come from a God of truth and goodness, we believe that everything in the Bible is true and good for us.

3.    When God’s Word conflicts with something we hold dear, we renew our mind.  We do not keep the old trash of the world in our hearts.  We replace it with that which is righteous and godly.

4.    Psalm 19:7-11

 

The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.  The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart:  the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.  The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever:  the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.  More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold:  sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them is great reward.

 

IV.         THE COUNSEL TO RATIFY

 

A.   …that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.”

 

B.   Paul wants these Christians to put the Word of God to the test in their lives.  He commands them to “prove” it.

1.    Definition:

a.    Strong (1381):  to test

b.    Thayer:  test, examine, prove, scrutinize, to see whether a thing is genuine or not

c.    Vine:  test, prove with the expectation of approving

2.    God knows what His Word can do (Isa. 55:11).

 

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth:  it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I send it.

 

C.   There are three things Paul says that we will find out about His Word if we prove it.

1.    It is good.

a.    Strong (18):  good, benefit

b.    Thayer:  of a good constitution or nature, useful, pleasant, agreeable, excellent, distinguished

c.    Vine:  good in character and beneficial in effect

2.    It is acceptable.

a.    Strong (2101):  fully agreeable

b.    Thayer:  well-pleasing

c.    Vine:  pleasing, well-pleasing

3.    It is perfect.
a.  Strong (5046):  complete

c.    Thayer:  wanting nothing necessary to completeness

d.    Vine:  having reached its end

D.   2 Peter 1:3

 

According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

 

E.   NOTE:  To confirm these three things, a person has to be serious about the application of God’s Word in his life.

1.    He can’t do a little here and a little there.

2.    He can’t continue to walk in the ways of the world at the same time.

3.    He can’t stop just because it seems hard.

4.    He can’t quit because there is an obstacle in the road.

5.    James 1:25

 

But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   We are proffered two lifestyles during our time on earth.

1.    One is the world.

2.    One is the Word of God.

 

B.   Only we can make the decision as to which one we will live.

 

C.   We will close with exhortations from Scripture.

1.    Deuteronomy 30:15

 

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil.

 

2.    1 Kings 18:21

 

How long halt ye between two opinions?

 

3.    Matthew 6:24

 

No man can serve two masters…

 

4.    Joshua 24:15

 

Choose you this day whom ye will serve.