Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

C.I.: A Conviction to Grace

So far… - Survey re: beliefs. – We live in a time of limited moral conviction – ( Jgs. 21:25 ), “…every man did what was right….”
If God's people are going to be a people of “grace” – we need to also be a people of conviction = “to hold to a firm belief!”

I. The Basis of Our Conviction, (Romans 12:2)

A. “Conformed” to What?

1. Today more than ever – God's people need to be a people of conviction.
a. ( Rom. 12:2 ), “And do not be conformed to this world….”
1) “Conform” = to take the shape (i.e. “form”) of something.
2) As believers we have only 1 of 2 choices: either conform to the world – or to God!

b. There is a continuum which runs between these two choices (i.e., the world and God).
1) Where we are on this continuum – depends upon which we allow to influence us more.
2) ( Psa. 1:1-2 ), “How blessed is that man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, – nor stand in
the path of sinners, – nor sit in the seat of scoffers! – But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His
law he meditates day and night.”
3) David warns us about moving in a worldly direction & being conformed to this world.
a) “Walk” =/= Us and the wicked being on the same street (associates vs. alliances).
b) ( Amos 3:3 ), Do two walk together unless they are in agreement?”
c) “Path (of sinners)” = A direction we choose. – Jesus warns us, ( Matt. 7:13 ).
d) “Scoffers” = demean, ridicule - ( II Pt. 3:3 ), Know this first of all, that in the last days..

2. Now on the other hand, - what things characterize the people - who are convicted to live closer to God?
a. First, “…they delight in the law of the Lord,” ( Psa. 1:2a ).
1) ( Rom. 7:12 ), “…the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.”
2 ) These people do not see God's law – as something too heavy or difficult.
3) ( I Jn. 5:3 ), “For this is the love of God that we keep His commandments & His C. are not burdensome.

b. Second, “…they meditate on His law day & night,” (i.e., continually).
1) Goal of our meditation = to examine ourselves & consider our conformity to God's word.
2) Bible Study: “What does it say?” - “What does it mean?” - “ What does it mean to me?”
3) ( Psa. 119:59 ), I have considered my ways – and have turned my steps toward your statutes.”
4) Thus, “meditation” is not an idle activity – but is vigorous in its application to our lives.
5) ( Jms. 1:22, 25 ), “But prove yourselves doers of the word – and not merely hearers who delude
themselves … the one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, - not
having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, – this man shall be blessed ( Psa. 1:1 ) in what...”

c. Therefore, those who hold to a firm belief in the grace of God – will seek to conform themselves – to
the will of God!

B. “Transformed” into What?

1. While “conformation” is who we are on the outside – “transformation” occurs on the inside.
a. “…but be transformed by the renewing of your minds,” ( Romans 12:2 ). 1) For the Greek scholars among you – the phrase “be transformed” is in the passive voice. a) The active voice means - the subject is the one doing the action. b) The passive voice means – the subject is the recipient of the action.
c) Ex.: ( Acts 2:38 ), “Repent (active) and be baptized (passive) every one of you….”

2) How is a person “transformed” ?
a) We allow transformation to happen - by removing barriers!
b) We “let light in”? Open the curtains. – We “let the dog out?” By opening the door!
c) “Transformation” = Removing the barriers in our “minds” that keep us from being
conformed to God (e.g., prejudice, bias, ignorance, arrogance, etc.).
d) Let us look at one – who was totally convicted by God's grace – & transformed by it!

2. Transformed from an adversary into an apostle!
a. Saul did not allow God to work in his life - he had to do everything himself…
1) Had the best schools/teachers – ( Acts 22:3 ), I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in
this city, educated under Gamaliel, strictly according to the law of our fathers, being zealous for God .”
2) Became the valedictorian – ( Gal. 1:14 ), “I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my
contemporaries among my countrymen, - being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions.”
3) After graduation he started in a modest way as a coat check person – ( Acts 7:58 ), “And when
they had driven Stephen out of the city, they began stoning him, and the witnesses laid aside their robes
– at the feet of a young man named Saul.”
4) But he seized the opportunity for a better job, ( Acts 8:1, 3 ), “And Saul was in hearty agreement
with putting him to death. … And Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house; and
dragging off men and women, he put them in prison.”
5) He looked for ways to ingratiate himself to his bosses, ( Acts 26:10 ), “…not only did I lock up
many of the saints in prisons… but when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them.”
6) Then when the opportunity to move up opened (even though it involved travel) – he seized it,
( Acts 9:1-2 ), “Saul went to the high priest, and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at
Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way - he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.”

b. What happened when he encountered God's grace? (Barriers were removed!)
1) God removed ignorance , ( Acts 9:3-6 ) , “…suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; & he
fell to the ground a heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?' – And he
said, ‘Who are You, Lord?' And He said, ‘I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, but rise, and enter the
city, and it shall be told you what you must do.'”
2) God removed arrogance , ( Acts 9:8 ), “Saul got up from the ground, though his eyes were open, he
could see nothing; and leading him by the hand , they brought him to Damascus.”
3) God removed Saul's plan and replaced it with His plan, ( Acts 9:17-18 ), “…and after laying his
hands on him said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were
coming, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' – Immediately
there fell something from his eyes like scales, and he arose and was baptized.”

c. From that moment on his life was transformed - and he allowed himself to be led by God!
1) ( Acts 9:19-20 ), “Now for several days he was with the disciples who were in Damascus, and
immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, ‘He is the Son of God!'”

CONCLUSIONS:

1. To what are we conformed; the world or to God? – How much influence do we allow God's word to have in our lives??!
2. To get the world out we have to let God in - ILLUST.: Add water to earlier vessel (oil out & water in).
3. If you are one of our guests…, quote John 3:3, 5; Acts 2:38 .