Gtcotr/ws041713
Key Scripture: Romans 12:2 Do not
be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your mind, that
you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Commentary
To
conform means to pattern oneself after some other influence, model, or mindset.
The “World” has a mindset, a set way of thinking. We continually hear about
“World Opinion”. People are often influenced by world opinion but world opinion
does not reflect God’s opinion.
The
world is at war with God. The world tries to overwhelm, discount and destroy
God’s influence, all the while … God is right and the world is wrong.
Nonetheless the world seems tireless in its efforts to capture the mind and
control opinion. The world is not your friend. The world is crazy.
James
4:4 … do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?
Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of
God.
God
does not want us to pattern ourselves after the influence, the model, or the
mindset of this world. The world’s method of thought and practice is an enemy
of God and runs contrary to the Kingdom. Therefore, whoever is a friend of the
world is an enemy of God.
World
opinion does not reflect the mind of Christ. Do not be conformed to this world,
but rather be transformed.
Transformation
refers to a metamorphosis of the mind - The picture of a caterpillar when it is
transformed from an earthbound worm to a beautiful butterfly who rides upon the
winds of heaven. Transformation occurs as a result of our participation with
God in the process of renewing our mind. Only a changed mind will change a life
forever.
Transformation
is available to every Believer in Christ chooses to believe God’s Word instead
of allowing the influence and mindset of this world to shape their thoughts,
beliefs, morals, and goals. God’s Word is truth and as we continue to fill our
thoughts with the Word of God, the Word captures and cleanses our thoughts and renews
our mind. Those who are “In Christ”
should begin to think more like Christ and less like their old carnal, worldly
self. It is a process which demands participation on your part.
Romans 8
1 There is therefore now no condemnation
to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but
according to the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
When
we are born again as a “New Creation In Christ”, we are made free from the law
of sin and death. From that point God expects us to fill our minds with His
Word and “Set” our minds on spiritual things so that we will begin thinking
like He thinks.
5 For those who live according to the flesh set
their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to
the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death,
but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity
against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
Transformation
is not without a struggle. The world is an enemy of God and fights to dominate
opinion. God expects us to challenge our thoughts and not to let them run wild
or come under the influence of this world’s opinion. God has given us spiritual
weapons to use against this enemy of our soul. Godliness begins with a mindset.
2
Corinthians 10
4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal
but mighty through God for the pulling down of strongholds,
5 Casting down arguments and every high thing
that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience to Christ.
The
battle is in the mind and the battle is for the mind. To begin the process of
transformation we must know God’s Word and accept God’s Word as Truth.
Believers must embrace God’s opinion as their very own.
When
a Believer changes their mind to line up with God’s Word, it will transform
their life and challenge the lives of all they influence for eternity. We are
transformed by the Word so that we might prove the Will of God. We must seek
God’s Word to know God’s Word; We must know God’s Word to embrace God’s Word;
We must embrace God’s Word to reflect God’s Word. In other words:
If we
desire to be more like Christ, we must be willing to challenge thoughts and
change our mind.
Important Points
1. World opinion is opposed to God.
2. Godliness begins with a mindset.
3. Only a changed mind will change a life.
4. Transformation is a New Creation Reality.
