We are still considering the first two verses in the 12th chapter of Paul's Epistle to the Romans.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service,

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.

Now we've reached the stage at which we are considering this important phrase in the second verse,

be ye transform by the renewing of your mind.

Having told us the negative that we are not to be conformed to this world,

the apostle is urging us positively to be transformed by the renewing

of your mind.

Now, we are still dealing in other words with a general theme of the Christian teaching,

the teaching of the New Testament with regard to conduct and behavior as to how we should live in this world.

And last Friday night we spent our time chiefly in stating this great teaching here in the form of principles,

if you like, in a more theological form. And the great thing we try to emphasize was

this, that the Christian, unlike everybody else, never starts with the particular problem.

At least he never sure. The Christian must always start with himself

as he is a new man in Christ Jesus.

Now all moral systems know nothing about that

because they can't.

They're not new men and they don't believe in the new birth.

...