Romans 12:2 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
“BUT BE TRANSFORMED” I get excited when I say those words – “BUT BE TRANSFORMED”. Okay, I know it’s Saturday, but we need to do a brief English lesson to appreciate these three words -“BUT BE TRANSFORMED”:
BUT – The word “but” is a conjunction. It is used to link ideas that contrast. Paul* uses “BUT” to contrast what he tells us not to do – “DO NOT CONFORM TO THE PATTERN OF THIS WORLD” – with what we should do.
BE – You English majors know that the word “be” is a verb, a word to describe an action. “To be or not to be…”
TRANSFORMED – a dramatic change in character, or appearance. We’re not talking subtle here, we are talking dramatic.
So today, as we enjoy our Saturday, our college football, our barbecue, or hamburgers, just take a moment, one or maybe two, to reflect on being transformed – “BUT BE TRANSFORMED”.
* Paul didn’t actually use the word “but” as the English language didn’t exist. Paul probably wrote the Letter to the Romans in Greek, although he probably spoke daily in Aramaic and in Hebrew.
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