INTIMACY FOR TRANSFORMATION (2)

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind” – Romans 12:2a

It takes presenting our bodies and minds to God in INTIMACY for TRANSFORMATION to manifest: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable God, which is your reasonable service. 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 ill of God” (Rom.12:1-2). These scriptures present a powerful call to a deeper intimacy with God. We must present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to Him, and thereby be transformed by the renewing of our minds, moving away from conformity to the world and toward discerning God’s Perfect Will. We cannot be intimate with the world and be devotedly intimate with God at the same time.

We are called to make an active choice, a deliberate act of worship – to present ourselves, not just our words or actions, but our entire being, as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God. We are to surrender our lives to God’s purpose, to live in ways that honour His Majesty and reflect His Character. By offering our lives as living sacrifices, we actively choose to be in relationship with Him, not just passively observing. The transformation that takes place shapes our inner selves through the renewing of our minds, to properly live out our faith in the world. The world around us exerts a powerful influence, often pulling us towards conformity and patterns that are not aligned with God’s Will. We are not meant to be shaped by the world, but rather transformed from inside out through God’s Word and Spirit.

We all have people we admire and want to be closer with. They hold a special place in our hearts, and spending time with them is a pleasure, especially when it’s at their bidding. Such a request to share their company fills us with eagerness, joy, and excitement. We gladly do whatever it takes to accept their request. There is a call – indeed, a Cry – coming from the Heart of God and with each passing day its intensity increases: “Why are you satisfied without My presence; why do you remain distant when you could have intimacy with Me?” The Creator of the Universe, the earth and all its inhabitants, requests our presence and intimate closeness.

God’s unwavering desire is to be known intimately by His children: “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (Jam.4:8). Transformation is possible if we are willing to arrange our lives around the practices, rhythms, and truths that Jesus Himself did, thereby opening our lives to God’s Power to Change. If we are willing to apprentice ourselves to Jesus through the Word of God, we can become the people we long to be and live the lives we were destined for.