Bible Studies
Romans 12:2 – “Don’t conform yourself any longer to the ways of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern God’s will and see how good, pleasing, and perfect is it.”
Thesaurus Fun:
Conform – match, agree with, coincide, correspond, be the same as
Transform – change, alter, convert, make over, renovate, make different
Be Transformed
We live in a culture that is sinking fast. The standards that our parents held for generations have been tossed aside. Standards of decency and modesty, of entertainment and sexuality, of marriage and family, of honor and morality, of love and fidelity, and of the absolute nature of truth. All too often, those who are “in the church” are no different from those who are “of the world”. This should not be so! We are called out of the world to be light in the darkness (Matthew 5:14) and salt to the earth (Matthew 5:13). But our light is hidden behind the latest fashion, the newest car, and the most popular tv show. If what should be light in the world has become darkness, how great is that darkness! (Matthew 6:23).
If we are to be different, how do we become different? By completely embracing that which makes us different; the Spirit of God, the cross of Christ, and the Scriptures which reveal God’s righteous standard. Too few “believers” actually read their Bible, but how can you live according to God’s standard if you don’t know what it is? Too few “Christians” genuinely follow in the steps of Christ, but how can you be His follower unless you “take up your cross and (actually) follow” Him? (Matt. 16:24, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23). Too few of “God’s children” slow down long enough to really spend time in prayer, but how can you know God’s will if you never stop to listen and how can God work in you to change you if you’re never still enough to let Him? If we are going to be what God has called us to be, we must first step out of the culture far enough to get the culture out of us so that we no longer conform to it. Then we must step into God’s word and immerse ourselves in the truths of Scripture. We must decide to take up our cross daily and, God helping us, we must follow completely the way of Christ. We must follow Him and not look back. As Scripture says, “anyone who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is not worthy of the kingdom of heaven. (Luke 9:62)”.
As we commit our way to the Lord and devote ourselves to fellowship, the word, and prayer, we will find ourselves changed. Then we will clearly discern the will of God for our lives and we will see that His will is good and not the burden we sometimes think that it is. But we will experience the goodness of God’s will, and His calling and His plans for our lives. As Scripture says, “for I know the plans I have for you’ says the Lord. ‘Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me and I will listen. You will search for Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord… (Jeremiah 29: 11-14a)”. All these things go hand in hand; seeking God, knowing His will, and being transformed by the Spirit of God through His word into the image of Christ.
Point to Ponder
So ask yourself, “Just how different am I from those around me? If someone were to follow me around for most of the day, would they see anything really different in my life?” If not, why not? Remember, the real difference makers are Scripture intake, prayer, and cross-bearing discipleship. Do you consistently intake God’s word – by reading, hearing, meditating (contemplating), memorizing – a little every day? Do you spend time alone and focused on God in prayer – at least a little every day? Have you taken up your cross to follow Christ wherever He may lead, dieing to self so that you might only live for Him?
Let us pray, “Our great and mighty God, thank You for giving us Your word that we might know You and Your will. Help us to commit ourselves to the intake and study of Your word, that we might grow in the grace and knowledge of You (2 Peter 3:18). Transform us by Your word and by Your Holy Spirit who lives in us. Father, do not let us conform ourselves to this world, but God, conform us to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29). Help us to take up our cross and follow Him truly. May there be a difference in our lives, clear to everyone around us. Help us to better manage our time that we may spend it pursuing eternal things like Your will, Your kingdom, and Your presence in us. May we never resist Your work but do everything You call us to. May we be genuine salt and light in the world, to Your glory. Thank You for calling us and setting us apart for Yourself. All power and glory and majesty belong to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
See the songs: I Press On, Steal Me Away
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