A couple of caterpillars were crawling along the ground when they looked up and saw a butterfly soaring above them. One of them said to the other, “You’ll never get me up in one of those things!”

Sadly, this is the outlook of many Christians. They are content with a lower level of living, and they can’t comprehend the magnificent plan that God has for our lives. He wants us to be transformed, and we should welcome that. Romans 12 talks about this transformation and gives us several ways that the gospel message should change us.

First, we should change the way we live after we become followers of Jesus, offering our bodies as a living sacrifice (v.1). In view of the mercy God has shown us in sending his Son Jesus to die on the cross to pay for our sins, we too should live sacrificial lives as an act of worship toward God. Haphazard living is not acceptable. We must be intentional in living for God.

A second way we must change is in the way we think. To live sacrificially, we must change our minds from the pattern of this world and be transformed in the way we perceive reality. Then God’s will is made known to us (v.2).

A third way we should be transformed is in the way we function. Verses 3-8 describe how the church operates as a body, with each person doing their part. As we come to understand how God has gifted each of us to serve, we work together to function as the body of Christ in this world. A transformed person becomes the hands and feet of Jesus as we do his work together.

Another way we are to be transformed is in the way we love. The world outside of Christ knows nothing of the type of love to which we are called—a love that is sincere, humble, devoted, sacrificial, forgiving and consistent. This radical love sets us apart from non-believers and boldly stands out in this world that is so filled with hatred.

So, these are the ways that we must be transformed so that we will better reflect Jesus Christ our goal is to become increasingly like him.