RENEWED MIND AND TRANSFORMED LIFE

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

What must follow the recreated spirit is the RENEWED MIND and TRANSFORMED LIFE: “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” (Rom.12:2). Beyond the momentary transformation that occurs at the New Birth, continuing growth, maturing, progress, and victories in our walk with Christ come through renewal of our minds by the Word of God, which has the ability to produce in us and for us the message that it bears. We must learn to think, talk, and act in sync with God’s Word. When we meditate on the Word, ideas and visions of victory, success, and endless possibilities will flood our minds.

It is not God’s will that His children conform to the world’s mold and fading fashions (1Jh.2: 15-17). The key to not wasting our lives with worldliness is to be transformed. That word, used once in all the gospels, describes Jesus on the mountain of transfiguration (the mountain of “transformation”): “And he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light” (Mt.17:2; Mk. 9:2). Although transformation is not simply switching from the to-do list of the flesh to the to-do list of the law, it is guided by a Word-based curriculum: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things” (Phi.4:8).

We are the character and products of our thoughts and meditations (Pro.23:7). When our thoughts and meditations align with the provisions of the Word, our lives become reflections of the same. The Word is God’s power to transform lives. When we hear the Word, there must be a response from us; and that’s what brings about the transformation. Every time we hear the Word is an opportunity to be transformed from glory to glory: “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being TRANSFORMED into the same image from GLORY to GLORY, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2Cor.3:18). Studying and meditating on the Word cause us to increase in glory, because the Glory of God is in His Word.

Irrespective of the challenges we might be facing, our atmosphere becomes conditioned in our favour, as we keep speaking in agreement with God’s Word. Before long, the excellent glory of the Word, which repels darkness, would be revealed in our situation. God’s Word is all-powerful, quick and sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). As we let the Word gain the mastery in our lives, we’ll live extraordinary and supernatural lives. We’ll be indomitable, triumphing over circumstances. God is calling us to have a mind-set of the Word; to have the Word as our focus, plotting us from glory to glory! This will keep our lives in sync with God’s perfect will. Then, we’ll experience the Glory of God in our all aspects of life: health, family, finances, job, and ministry; as our minds are renewed with thoughts of righteousness, progress, possibilities, and victory.

The renewed mind is marked by reliance on the Bible, the only infallible Footing for faith and practice. Through the light of Scripture, we begin to understand God’s holy character, realize our inadequacy, and align with His perfect Will. We begin to appreciate all that was lost in Eden, and thirst to return from exile to the Father’s fellowship. That leads us to look with joy to the redemption found only in the Christ Jesus. Peace with God is now possible. Being found in Christ, living by His revealed Word brings true dignity and liberty. A renewed mind leads to a transformed life, characterized by Kingdom service (vv. 4-8).