GOOD MORNING!!
A wise man once said. “Whatever you don’t Transform will Conform you.”Selah (pause and consider)
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true and proper worship. 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. Romans 12:1-2 NIV
How do we find out what the will of the Lord is for our lives? The first step towards that knowledge is the step you take towards Him. The verses above sets the order that comes next. Getting into God’s Word. You can’t know His will without knowing Him and you can’t know your role without reading the instruction manual. Most Christians are healthy naturally but malnourished spiritually. We know how to take care of the outside and do so meticulously, but are spiritually starved.
The key to living a victorious Christian life is found in the Word of God. It is also found in the application of that Word. The instruction to present our bodies and renew our minds is not a suggestion. The word urge that Paul uses denotes a desire to persuade or show urgency in conforming to what is being said. As children of God we can no more blend into the world’s mold. We can’t become spiritual chameleons. We are called to stand out! Listen to this verse from Deuteronomy 4:6, speaking of God’s Laws; Observe them carefully, for this will show your wisdom and understanding to the nations, who will hear about all these decrees and say, “surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.”
Knowing a few scripture verses or bible stories is not renewing your mind. Going to a building (church) is not renewing your mind. Your mind is renewed when you’re no longer conforming to the world’s ways but God’s.
Whatever you don’t transform will conform you. If having your three healthy meals a day plus snacks is important to your physical wellness, how much more attention should you be paying to your spiritual health? We will never experience our full potential in God, until we give greater adherence to the Word. 2 Timothy 2:15. My brothers and sisters the words of an old song comes to mind . “You can’t live crooked and think straight.” We can’t serve God with a warped understanding of His Word. We can’t grow as Christians without His Word. We can not, be true witnesses without the knowledge of His Word. And we will never know His perfect will without His Word.
In these last days, the Word of God is all we have. Every answer to every question can be found in His Word. There may be shortcuts in life, but for the child of God there are no shortcuts. Where there’s a lack of knowledge of God’s Word there’s spiritual death. Determine today if you’ve been slacking off, to dust off your Bibles and once again begin to discover the hidden treasures waiting just for you. For while your flesh may be screaming for attention, your inner man (spirit) is yearning for transformation. The one you feed, will cause conformation, both inside and out.
Merciful Father in the Name of Jesus I come repenting for ignoring the importance of spending time with you through the reading of your Word. I desire to know you better and to also walk in your perfect will for me. Create in me a desire for more of you and give me clearer understanding of your Word so that my mind will be renewed and my life transformed to be more like you in Jesus Name. Amen
Psalm 119:129-133 and Romans 11:33 (suggested readings)
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant