Transformed

Scripture:

Romans 12:2 (TM) Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.

Romans 12:2 (ESV) Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Observation:

God has good, pleasing, and perfect plans for his children. He wants us to be transformed people with renewed minds, living to honor and obey him. Because he wants only what is best for us, and because he gave his Son to make our new life possible, we should joyfully give ourselves as living sacrifices for his service.

Paul warned Christians: "Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world" that are usually selfish and often corrupting. Wise Christians decide that much worldly behavior is off-limits for them. Our refusal to conform to this world's values, however, must go even deeper than just behavior and customs; it must be firmly planted in our mind: "Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." It is possible to avoid most worldly customs and still be proud, covetous, selfish, stubborn, and arrogant. Only when the Holy Spirit renews, reeducates, and redirects our mind are we truly transformed.

Application:

The Greek word for transformed - metamorphosis - is used today to describe the amazing change a caterpillar goes through in becoming a butterfly. And it's a beautiful picture of what happens to us when we allow God to direct our thoughts. As we take on the beauty of Christ's character, we're set free to soar to new heights.

Are you wrestling with a certain problem thinking, "If I could just get beyond this, everything would be okay." Sorry to disappoint you, but when you've conquered this particular problem, God will reveal something else that needs to be dealt with. Relax, you're always going to be working on something!

Change doesn't come through human effort without God, frustration, self-rejection, guilt or the white knuckling works of the flesh. No, change comes as a result of having your mind renewed daily by the Word of God. As you agree with God, believing that what He says is true, change automatically begins. You start to think differently, then talk differently and finally act differently. Be patient with yourself: it's a process that develops in stages.

Would you think there was something wrong with your child because they couldn't walk perfectly the first few tries? No, you're delighted each time they take another step. When they fall you pick them up, comfort them, bandage them if necessary, encourage them to try again, and keep working with them. Do you think God does less for His children?

God's not angry with you because you haven't 'arrived', He's pleased that you're pressing on, trying to stay on the path. It's God's job to "cause [you] to… be governed by the Holy Spirit" (2 Corinthians 3:8 AMP). If you could do it by yourself you wouldn't need God! So instead of driving yourself harder and harder, start leaning on God more and more!

Prayer:

"Lord, thank you that you are changing me through Your Word. I am be transformed by the renewing of my mind. Thank you for that change. It isn't always comfortable, but it is always beneficial. I yield to Your Holy Spirit today, in Jesus' name, amen"