THE BOOK OF ROMANS Thursday – August 1, 2013 – Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” In verse one, Holy Spirit begged us to die to self and live for Jesus. In verse two, there is no more asking, but the words are essentially a command. Be not conformed to this world; there is no question in this statement, no confusion that I see, it is a command from the Holy Spirit of God, through the pen of Paul, to the born-again believer in Christ. Be ye NOT CONFORMED to this world. I know all caps is supposed to be screaming, but I can almost feel the Holy Spirit screaming at us not to be like the lost world. Be different, be willing to stand up and say, “I will not be like the world anymore, for I am not really a part of the world anymore!” In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, chapter two and verse five, Paul says, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” If we are in fact new creatures, and if the old things are passed away, behold all things are become new, then I can only assume that literally means all things. It includes our mind, or at least our mind-set, our attitude, and the things we think about. Philippians 4:8 touches on the subject as well, “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things”. Notice again that it does not seem to be a suggestion, but rather a command. Think on these things. It is when we think on other things that we are drawn away from Christ, that we find ourselves weakening in our faith. If we spend any time at all reflecting on the life we knew before Christ became our Savior, that reflection needs to be on the life we are trying now to avoid, the life we are trying to allow the Holy Spirit to re-mold. Why should we do this? Why should we not be conformed to this world? In some ways, it would seem if we were a little more like the people we are trying to reach, perhaps we could relate to them more; however, if we were more like them, what change would we be offering them? In I Peter 2:9, we are referred to as ‘peculiar people’, and also in Titus 2:14. A peculiar people, a different people, not the same as everyone else kind of people. Not like them. ‘Be ye not conformed’ refers to the outer man while ‘be ye transformed’ refers to the inner man. Inside and out, Upside down and backward, we should be different than the world, “…that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” The difference in our lives should prove to the world the awesome power of God to change a person, to change a life. Does your life reflect the change that Jesus has accomplished in your heart? Does your neighbor know that you are a Christian? Do your co-workers know that you are a Christian? Does your family, outside of your immediate family, know that you are a Christian? I heard it asked one time, If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? My prayer for today- Help me, Lord, to submit to your transforming power, to allow You to re-mold my life into what You want it to be. Change not only my heart, but my mind as well, that I might seek to glorify you in all I do. For these daily devotions/studies to truly apply to your life, you must first belong to God. He will welcome you because He loves you, even before you love Him. He loves you so much that He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16). Scripture tells us that if you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, man believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation, (Romans 10:9-10). Won’t you confess today and ask Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior? He is waiting with open arms…
Posted on: Thu, 01 Aug 2013 10:09:55 +0000
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