Do not conform any longer 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. Romans 12: 2, NIV.
Gracious God, as we bow before You, in the study of Your Word, please open the eyes of our understanding that we might not only approve, but also experience, Your “good, pleasing, and perfect, will, in our lives.” In the name of Jesus we humbly pray. Amen.
Yesterday our conversation evolved around, “not conforming” to the sinful practices of the world. We ended on the note where, Paul, even though he knew, that by his own efforts he was powerless to bring about any positive changes in his life; nevertheless, he also knew where he could go, in order to receive the power, he needed, to be “transformed,” into the image of God. In our day, we hear a lot about “makeovers.” It would appear that most of us are not completely happy with ourselves. “If only I was taller, or shorter, or thinner, or fatter. If only my eyes were a different color, or my hair, a different texture.” And many people take measures to bring about these changes. Some have “makeovers,” while others have, “extreme makeovers.”
Our study shows, that many Christians are not happy with their spiritual condition, either. They also seek “makeovers.” This is what Paul was talking about when he lamented his inability to do the things that were right. Paul recognized that the makeover he needed would change, not his appearance, but his behavior. He would become a renewed man, from the inside, out. For him it was a matter of life and death! He needed help and he needed it now! He sees himself walking around with the “dead body” of his sinfulness attached to him. He feels the weight bearing him down. He knows that if help does not come soon, the corruption that is taking place in the dead body, destroying it, will eventually, destroy him. Therefore his plea for help: “What a wretched man I am! “Who will rescue me from this body of death?” [Almost instantly, the Holy Spirit reminds him that help has already been provided – he now exclaims, in gratitude]: “Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7: 24, 25a, NIV, emphasis provided)! Hallelujah!
Now, let us see how Paul sums up the problem: “So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin” (25b, emphasis provided). This thought becomes clearer as we add the following verse, “When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness . . . But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life” (6: 20, 22). It is clear then, that if we are to be free, truly free, the mind has to lead the way; for it is with the mind, that “we serve God” (25b, KJV). It is with the mind that we decide who will become the Lord of our lives!
Let us look at another portion of Scripture that speaks to the same concept: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4: 22-24, emphasis provided). Yes my friends, God has a remedy for us who need “extreme makeovers.” God offers us the following formula: Let Me change your mind, it will change your life.
We will continue this conversation.