Monday, December 12, 2011

Your spiritual service: the mind


Romans 12:1-2 says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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.”
Christians have been delivered from this present evil world, which has Satan for its god (Galatians 1:4; 2 Corinthians 4:4). Our heavenly calling includes residence in this world, among sinful people, where we must show forth the praises of Him who called us out of darkness into God’s marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9).
“Conformed” refers to an outward expression that does not reflect what is within.
The word is used of masquerading, or putting on an act, specifically by following a prescribed pattern or scheme. It also carries the idea of being transitory and unstable.
This phrase has been translated as, “Do not let the world around you squeeze you into its own mold.” We are to stop allowing ourselves to be fashioned after the present evil world in which we live.
Regrettably, it is not uncommon for Christians to wear the world’s masks. They want to enjoy the world’s entertainment, the world’s fashions, the world’s vocabulary and many of the world’s attitudes -- even when those clearly do not conform to the standards of God’s word. The Greek word translated “transformed” is translated “transfigured” in Matthew 17:2 and Mark 9:2-3. The Christian is solely responsible for this transformation, and it can be brought about only by renewing the mind, the inward man, day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).
“Renewing” means “the adjustment of our thinking to the mind of God.” The outward transformation is effected by an inner change in the mind, and the Spirit’s means of accomplishing this is the word (Psalm 119:11; Colossians 1:28). This word teaches us how to live and glorify God (1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Ephesians 4:17-32; Titus 2:11-14; 2 Timothy 2:1-5).
Kyle Campbell

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