Read: Romans 12:1-2; 1 Peter 1:13-16
Be transformed by the renewal of your mind. (Rom. 12:2)
Japanese is often spoken assuming the subject of the sentence: “Take lunch?” Japanese may talk together for a considerable time, then pause, and ask each other the question, “Who?” “Who is going to have lunch?”
In our reading of Romans 12, we could ask the same question: “the renewal of whose mind?” Often, we assume that Paul calls for the renewal of each of our minds, individually. Certainly, it’s important that each believer in Jesus renew their mind each day through Bible reading and prayer.
However, the who in this part of Romans 12:2 in the original Greek implies something different. By starting our reading of Romans from the end, we know the context. We understand that Paul encouraged Jewish believers and Gentile believers of diverse culture and languages to come together in unity. Gentile believers may have been more numerous and occupied a place of privilege and power in relation to Rome, and Jewish believers may have cherished their heritage, but they were to have one common mind together.
This is still a challenge for the church. We’re divided by generations, by politics, by different traditions and spiritual practices, by culture and ethnic backgrounds, and by spiritual maturity levels. We are to be transformed by the renewal of our mind (“that by testing you [plural] may discern,” v. 2). This is countercultural. The world awaits such a community!
As you pray, ask the Lord to transform the church by the renewal of our common mind.
Kent Fry is a retired pastor and visiting research fellow at the Van Raalte Institute in Holland, Michigan. He and his wife, Joyce, are active members of Second Reformed Church in Zeeland, Michigan. Kent is an active cyclist, and he and Joyce enjoy time with their children and grandchildren.
