Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:2 WEB
Saved by the grace of God through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, what is our reasonable spiritual service to the Lord? Paul says it is to present our bodies as living sacrifices. We accomplish this by living our lives as though dead to sin. In other words, we give up sinful activity and demonstrate righteous lives of obedience to the will of God.
We read in 1 John 2:16 what it means to be worldly as it says, “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, isn’t the Father’s, but is the world’s. WEB” God is holy and righteous, but our natural state is corrupt and wicked.
To be Godly, we reject the lusts of the flesh and pride. The renewing of your mind means to think in line with God’s will. In turn, we behave differently. As Paul writes in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honorable, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report: if there is any virtue and if there is any praise, think about these things.”
Turn Toward God
Instead of living natural lives of sin in submission to the flesh, Paul encourages his readers to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind. WEB” In response to God’s mercy and forgiveness, as adopted members of his family, we reject conforming to the ways of the world. Turning away from sin, we turn toward God.
Renewing the mind, we consider the perspective of what God finds acceptable. Rather than living selfishly for pleasure, higher status, and more possessions, we seek God and strive to understand his will for our lives as we follow the example of Jesus Christ. As David says in Psalm 119:10, “With my whole heart, I have sought you. Don’t let me wander from your commandments. WEB”
Further, we demonstrate this in our interactions with fellow Christians and other members of society. Believers prove what is good and pleasing to God by applying the principles of God’s word to our everyday lives. As we read in James 1:22, “But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves. WEB” We must put the word of God into practice.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the truth of your holy word. Thank you for my salvation in Jesus Christ. Give me wisdom to better understand your word. Help me to conform to your will. Give me the strength to reject the lust and pride of the flesh. In Jesus’ name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Brother In Need
