Transform by Renewing

I have heard people extol the value of a godly example by saying, "There is more caught than taught."  The idea is seeing godliness lived out is of greater value to others than the person's understanding of systematic theology.  Since there is no doubt people can influence others for good, we must realise the opposite is also true.  It is likely during our years as an unbeliever we have adopted worldly perspectives and fleshly responses to trouble and conflict we have brought into our relationship with Jesus and the church.  The wonderful thing about a relationship with Jesus Christ is by faith in Him we are born again and made new creations.

In churches that teach through the Bible, an emphasis is placed on reading, studying and applying God's word to our lives in obedience.  This is good.  As we grow in knowledge of God our desire is for everyone to know Him as well and be saved.  So we bone up on scriptures to guide people to their need for Jesus, forgiveness and salvation.  We might be drawn to study common objections to the existence of God or biblical truth so we can be ready to fend these off to pierce an unbelieving soul with the sword of the spirit.  I am amazed I used to believe that I myself, by well-aimed undeniable facts of biblical truth, could change the minds of other people.  I might as well have believed I could save their souls too, for this transformational power belongs to God alone.

Repentance from sin begins with a change of mind, and when we humbly present ourselves in submission to God in faith He continues to change us.  Romans 12:1-2 says to believers, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God."  The picture of metamorphosis is typically applied to an unbeliever coming to faith in Christ, but the context is this change or metamorphosis taking place in a Christian.  Instead of conforming to the world or allowing man's wisdom to shape us, in this journey of faith in Christ we are to allow Him to change our minds and transform us so we might approve and personally practice the good, acceptable and perfect will of God.

Many times I went into conversations or situations believing I was on the side of truth and the other person needed to change.  Conflict and tension was created when I also assumed I was called to change other people's minds.  I knew I could not change a person's heart, but it seemed the mind was fair game and accessible through logical persuasion.  The reality is we need God to transform and renew our minds, and He can even redeem our striving and fruitlessness to accomplish this.  Should the light of God's wisdom break out upon the mind of another person due to the word of God we passed along to them, wonderful.  But it was not our light; it is not in us to transform hearts and renew minds.  Praise the LORD for His unchanging, infallible wisdom and His power and will to do what we cannot.

To be offered as a sacrifice on the altar was a one-time affair, yet as living sacrifices we are to continually present ourselves to God which is our reasonable service.  It was in this sense Paul said, "I die daily."  He heeded the words of Jesus to deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Jesus.  Consider the miraculous impact of the sacrifice of Jesus on Calvary for sinners, and know God will also work through His servants who present ourselves to the LORD in humble submission He transforms by the renewing of our minds.  The world's way is to conform to the norm, but God's way is to transform by renewing.