Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. – Romans 12:2
It may sound easy to change your mind, but you have probably experienced that it is not! Yet, transformation is the core work of every follower of Christ on Earth. From the passionate believers prayer walking around their neighborhoods to the uncertain doubters hiding their faith at work, every professing follower of Christ is in the process of transformation, being formed, mind, body, and soul, into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
Cruciformity is a term that refers to the self-sacrificing love and lifestyle of Christ. Jesus invited His disciples to practice this way, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it“ (Matthew 16:24-25). Having your life molded into a cross-shaped expression of God’s love will require a change in your thoughts and behaviors about many things along the way. As you have probably found, you cannot white-knuckle yourself into a new way of living. However, there is help.
Regeneration is the work of the Spirit of God. He will renew your soul from death to life and He will renew your mind from its addiction to self and the appetites of the flesh to a desire for Him and His will. “And we all… beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Pray that those making decisions on behalf of America will not conform themselves to political pressures and their own wisdom, but that they would seek God’s guidance and direction instead as they work.
Today’s Verse: Romans 12:2
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.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 John 3:2-7
2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
