Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]. Romans 12:2 AMPC
As I read today's extract, one thing sticks out: God will not do for me what He has empowered me to do. He will supply grace, but there is a role for me to play if I will not take the grace of God for granted. When the Bible says: Do not be conformed, it is telling me that it is my responsibility to ensure that I am bent out of shape to behave according to socially acceptable conventions or standards. As long as it is popular by the world's standsrd, it cannot be in line with God's standard. The early apostles turned the world upside down because they weren't doing the usual or the normal.
The world has a pattern; a specific way of doing things. Unfortunately, there is nothing permanent about the world's standards, as they are always changing, depending on whose interests it is protecting at that point in time. Would it be a good idea to hang my eternity on ever-shifting principles? Whatever age I find myself, God expects me to stand out, and not to blend in. When there is no noticeable difference in the way I live and the way the world is viewed, there is a problem. When men have to ask me where I stand, because they really can't see a fundamental difference, then I need to check my stand again.
How do I make a difference? Today's extract asks me to be transformed by the renewing of my mind. How does God do a work of transformation in me without the presence of the Holy Spirit? How does God birth His nature in me if I do not give Him full and free access to my life? It just seems to me that with all the resources of grace, mercy and favour that God has supplied, I cannot blame anyone but myself if I fail to take advantage of what He has provided. I am given the power to choose what applies to me: conform or transform.
And the benefits of being transformed in my mind are laid out here: I am able to prove what is the good, acceptable and perfect will of God. And by the way, you can't play both sides. You can't be conformed and then be transformed at the same time. You can't sit on the fence as there is none when it comes to a life that God can use. And let it also be known that man's highest discovery is the plan and purpose of God. When you know what God wants you to do, all that bothers you is how to please God. Competition, a sense of superiority or pride cannot come into play, because you know who you serve and where you are going.
And it will not resolve itself overnight; I must trust God's process for making me what He wants me to be. You prove something by doing it over and over again, watching the impact, seeing the effect and trusting the process. What you have proved becomes your anchor when every thing is going to pieces. What you have proved over time becomes your comfort zone in the midst of distress. And God wants me prepared ahead of the times of uncertainty and pain. He assures me that in Him, I have all that I need and if I will only trust Him, He will help me. He is all that matters; every other thing is temporal. His time of favour is here.
No comments:
Post a Comment