I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Romans 12:1-2
This is a tough thing. Paul has commanded that we be transformed(μεταμορφόω ) not conformed
(σύμμορφος ).
The uses of μεταμορφόω and συσχηματίζω in the NT are interesting.
The former being used 4 times and always to express a genuine change. μεταμορφόω is transliterated as metamorphoô from which you readily identify our english word metamorphosis. This is the word that the gospel writers Mark and Matthew used when speaking of Jesus’ transfiguration (μεταμορφόω). Paul also uses it in II Corinthians 3:18 when speaking of the change (μεταμορφόω ) that results as we “behold the glory of the Lord”.
Now how about conformed (συσχηματίζω)? I looked at all the NT appearances of συσχηματίζωσ and it’s derivatives and whenever this word appears it always seems to be focusing on externalities. Paul describes Christ’ physical appearance in Philipians 2:8 as “And being found in human form(συσχηματίζω)”. Peter tells the dispersed believers to “not fashion(συσχηματίζω) yourselves according to the former lusts”.
So I’m going to make some conclusions based upon some very elementary exegesis. Paul is not interested in believers assuming an external form of religiosity. His listeners were no doubt acquainted with the various practices of the religious zealots of their day, and Paul wanted them to understand that external conformity alone was abominable to God. God requires and, as we will see in a later post, actually does the transforming work in the believer’s life.
How does this marvelous metamorphosis happen? Quite simply, it’s a brain transplant. But that’s for another day.