I beseech you therefore, brethren, by  mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

The apostle Paul wrote the letter to the Romans. In chapters 1 though 11 Paul dealt with foundational doctrine – the thing necessary for salvation which is righteousness through faith alone in Christ alone. In chapter 12 Paul turns to application; how man/ woman is to deal with the transformed life through free grace. At the moment of faith we are transformed and reborn – we are risen from spiritual death and must follow a path where we consecrate to God all of ourselves. We want to behave as we believe, not by terror but by choice which is dictated by our transformed souls and the indwelling Spirit.  We will want to be holy and apart from this world for God. Our minds and hearts should/will seek to know the will of God.

The commitment to know the will of God – and do it – is progressive.  As we grow in Christian life we will grow in awareness and understanding of godly living.  This process is sanctification arising from justification through faith in Christ.  We are urged by Paul “not to be conformed to this evil age”.

All have been informed by this temporary world we live in at present and which is limited and passing.  This world is man centered and apart from God – this world is hostile to God.  Now through faith we live in the light of eternity and the process of pursuit of holiness is lifelong only to be finished at death.  The thinking of the faithful has changed and things of the world recede as we grown in knowledge of God’s will and in God’s grace.  I heard of a teacher of psychology majors who would ask his class how many would get on a bus to heaven if that bus pulled up at our door right now.  I would jump right in that bus but clearly have miles to go before i sleep