Romans 12:2 AMPC
[2] 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].
We have come to a new year. It is a call to a new way of life and a new way of doing and approaching things. Of course, the new will not exist in a vacuum; it has to be founded upon a clear understanding of who calls you to the new life, provides the enablement and empowerment to live in line with that new life, and stands with you every step of the way down here on earth until we walk into glory. It also means that there will be pressure to walk in line with the old nature; it is easier to do what comes easy to you; it is easier to blend in with the world and not stick out, but the call of God upon a person's life will demand a new way of life and walk, and will lead to strong opposition and resistance from the world. You cannot be in the world and seek to live against the principles and practices of the world, and expect it to keep quiet and let you be. The world will fight all who are not under its control and influence, and this is why I need to know what I am getting into before I get into it.
The verse above challenges me not to be conformed to the world. You will not be able to do this without help, and that is why God provides all that I need for life and Godliness. He does not leave me to fend for myself. He will not demand from me that which He has not first supplied sufficient grace for. If He says that He wants something from me, I can be sure that He will stand by me and help me succeed, as His glory is revealed by my own lifestyle that lines up with His will. The world has its fashions and superficial customs, and there is no eternal value to the things it pushes forward. Be careful not to live your life on the basis of what the world celebrates. Be sure that God approves of your life's choices and decisions, because it is His approval that matters at the end of the day. Let the whole world stand by you; if God is not involved, it will end up in everlasting shame. If God is involved, even if the whole world is against you, be sure that God can lead you safely home.
That is the idea behind the latter part of the verse above. I need to be transformed by the renewing of my mind, which can only be done by constant exposure to the transformative power of the written, spoken and expressed Word of God and the help of the Holy Spirit. The inner work of God in me is what I need for external impact. It is by this constant exposure that I learn what God's will is. It will not happen by accident; it will not happen by mistake; it will not happen by scientific schemes or calculations. It will only happen by total submission to the Holy Spirit. There is a good, acceptable and perfect will of God for me, and He wants to show and tell me. If I am not where His Spirit can reach me, how can He help me? As a new year starts, I have to be intentional and deliberate about my choices. He will not force Himself on me, but He will show Himself strong in my life if I let Him. Would you open your heart to Him and let Him do what He alone can do? God's time of favour is here.
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