为着生活的实行，我们需要变化
罗马书里最实际的一段，是关于变化（十二1-十五13）。为着生活的实行，我们需要变化，因为在我们天然的生命里，我们绝不能有正确生活的实行。没有甚么天然的事物对生活的实行是有用的。天然的元素必须变化成为属灵和圣别的元素。因此，为着生活实行的缘故，我们需要彻底的变化。不但如此，圣经启示生活的实行主要是与教会，与身体生活有关。地方教会生活是今天神在地上实行的国。许多所谓属灵的基督徒的确爱主，并照着罗马六章和八章追求生命的长大。然而，在八章之后，甚至在十一章之后，还有另一段，指明即使我们达到了八章里所启示的标准，我们仍有所缺，因为我们没有教会生活。圣别、得荣、和模成的属灵经历，不是为着这些经历本身而存在。圣别不是为着圣别，模成也不是为着模成；这些经历都是为着教会生活。我们将会看见，在八章及十一章以后，保罗劝我们将身体献上，当作活祭。这献上的目的不是要我们更属灵，乃是要我们实行身体生活。
生命的变化，是为着身体、为着教会
许多寻求的基督徒不喜欢谈论教会生活。他们似乎是说，“只要我们属灵、圣别、并在生命里长大，一切就都好了。有一天主自然而然会将我们建造在一起。”我要很强的说，他们的罗马书只有八章，只有半卷；他们似乎没有领悟罗马书有十六章。但在罗马书里有完整的五章讲到教会的事。生命不是为着生命；生命是为着身体，生命是为着教会。我们必须儆醒，因为我们甚至能被最好的事物遮蔽。赞美主，罗马书里有关于教会生活的五章圣经。教会是保罗在罗马书里的结语。
变化，就是神圣的元素作到我们里面
假定人的脸色很苍白，别人要改变他的脸色，就给他的皮肤涂上一些颜色。毫无疑问，这不是生机的改变，生命的改变。人的脸色怎能真实的红润？乃是藉着每天将健康的食物，带着必需的生机元素，吸收到他的身体里。这内里的过程就会改变你的脸色。这改变不是外面的；这是来自里面的改变，由新陈代谢之过程所产生的改变。照着圣经，这新陈代谢的改变称为变化。这不是外面的改正或外在的调整；这完全是在我们生机元素里内里新陈代谢的改变，是在生命里并凭着生命，由主灵所施行的改变。在变化的过程中，神圣的元素作到我们里面。
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Pleasing God – For the Body and for the Church — 2 Cor. 3:18
For Practicing the Life, We Need To Be Transformed
The most practical section in the book of Romans is the section on transformation (12:1-15:13). For the practice of life we need transformation, for we can never have the proper practice of life in our natural life. Nothing natural is useful for the life practice. The natural element must be transformed into an element that is spiritual and holy. Hence, for the sake of the life practice we need a thorough transformation. Furthermore, the Holy Word reveals that the practice of life is mainly with the church, with the Body life. The local church life is the practical kingdom of God on earth today. Many so-called spiritual Christians truly love the Lord and pursue the growth of life according to Romans 6 and 8. However, after Romans 8 and even after Romans 11 there is another section, indicating that even if we have attained the standard revealed in Romans 8 we still are lacking because we do not have the church life. The spiritual experiences of sanctification, glorification and conformation do not exist for themselves. Sanctification is not for sanctification, and conformation is not for conformation. Both of these experiences are for the church life. As we shall see, after chapters eight and eleven Paul begs us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. The purpose of this presentation is not for us to be more spiritual, but for us to practice the Body life.
The Transformation of Life Is for the Body and for the Church
Many seeking Christians do not like to talk about the church life. They seem to say, “As long as we are spiritual and sanctified and are growing in life, everything is fine. The Lord will build us together one day spontaneously”. I would say strongly that their book of Romans has only eight chapters, only half of the book. They do not seem to realize that Romans has sixteen chapters. But in the book of Romans we have five complete chapters that dwell on the matter of the church. Life is not for life – life is for the Body. Life is for the church. We have to be alert, for we can be veiled even by the best things. Praise the Lord that in Romans we have five chapters on the church life. The church is Paul’s final word in the book of Romans.
Transformation – Divine Elements Wrought Into Us
Suppose that a person has a very pale complexion and that someone else, wishing to change his colorless complexion, applies some coloring to his skin. This, no doubt, produces an outward change, but it is not an organic change, a change in life. How then can a person truly have a colorful face? By daily absorbing into his body healthy food with the necessary organic elements. Gradually this inward process will change the coloration of your face. This change is not outward; it is a change from within, a change resulting from the process of metabolism. According to the Bible, this metabolic change is termed transformation. It is not outward correction or external adjustment. It is absolutely an inward metabolic change in our organic element, a change in life and with life by the Lord Spirit. In the process of transformation the life of Christ is added to our being.