Week2 Day4
Word Study
Sacrifice
The Process Begins with Total Renovation of our Powers and Patterns of Reasoning
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…
Romans 12:2
I love the way J.B. Phillips rendered this phrase: “Let God re-mold your minds from within.”
Remember what Paul said back in chapter 1 is the plight of the person who refuses to acknowledge or to worship God:
And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done.
Romans 1:28
And in chapter 8, he wrote:
For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.
Romans 8:6-8
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
John 17:17
Paul wrote to the believers in Ephesus:
Be renewed in the spirit of your minds…
Ephesians 4:23
He exhorted the believers in Philippi:
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.
Philippians 4:8
Paul is talking about an inside job. God wants to change us from the inside out. He is not seeking external conformity, but inward transformation.
Why is it so essential that we are transformed by the renewing of our minds? It is precisely because we began with a debased mind because of our separation from God by sin. So the governing influence of our minds now needs to be reoriented. Our imaginations need to be captured by Christ. The operating system that controls our fundamental thought processes needs to be replaced and a new one has to be downloaded—one that is given by God’s Spirit and informed by God’s word.
He challenged the Colossian Christians:
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Colossians 3:16
Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
Psalm 119:97-100
Action Step:
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