Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

…but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.                                                
                                                                                                                               - Romans 12:2

The way we think has everything to do with how well we negotiate the issues of life and our interactions with others. Proverbs 23:7 states, For as a man (or woman) thinks in his heart, so he is.   What’s true of you inwardly will be reflected outwardly.

In Romans 12:2, the Apostle Paul is letting us know that to truly be conformed into the image of Christ we need to be changed.  We need a renewal in our manner of thinking.  Upon believing in Christ Jesus, we were changed. We became a new creation.  Accordingly, no longer should we have the mind-set of the world or our own past interpretations on life, but we are challenged to each day view our life as God does.  To know and accept His will for us, which Paul describes as good, acceptable and perfect! A change of mind does not come easily, but it will come as we open our self to truth …His truth.  And a change in heart will come as we open our self to His Spirit. 

More times than I care to admit, I’ve placed a life experience in my ‘Category Bad’ file only to later discover that said experience was a tool used by God to grow and bless me and to allow me to know Him better!  Having come through the trial to see His wisdom in bringing me through and to experience the joy of knowing that He was with me along the way! You don’t truly know Him as a deliverer, until He has delivered you from something.  How can you know Him as the All-sufficient Provider, unless He’s provided for you in a way no other could?  And how can you know His favor, grace or love unless you’ve experienced Him.  The good news is that once you’ve come to know Him in these ways you’ve entered into relationship.  No longer living in the shallow waters of religion, but experiencing the rich pleasure of relationship with Him. 

Now, back to how we think about things. When He carries you through a trial or difficulty, do you concentrate on the hardship or do you ever think, just maybe, God is entrusting you with a trial.  Could James 1:2-4 be true?

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

As I look through scripture, how sad I would be had Job cursed God and died according to his wife’s words.  No longer having the encouragement of one who didn’t understand why he was experiencing severe trials, but who stood, knowing (in heart and mind) that God was sovereign and good.  How I would miss the encouragement received from Joseph’s ability to stand through years of difficulty, not consumed in regret over life’s trials but believing in heart and mind God’s promise. And how were Paul and Silas not overcome with how dreadful their Phillippian prison experience was but were able to sing songs of triumph which led to their freedom.  And what if Jesus had concluded (thought) that there was another way to redeem mankind, something, let’s say, a little less taxing. 

How we think is indicative of what we believe and we are only able to believe according to the measure of our faith.  We know from Romans 12:3 that, God has dealt to each one a measure of faith, so in order for this renewal process to continue in me, I must seek His counsel regarding the issues of life.  From His word I learn to think about life differently and thereby grow in faith.  Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God!  I learn to trust Him more, to know and love Him better, and to better love my brother and sister!  As I grow in faith, the trials and tribulations of life become less burdensome and more of an adventure.  And by His grace, I become perfect and complete, lacking nothing.  Let’s think on these things!