A Transformed Mind

Romans 12:1-2 (TPT) Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. Commentary note:12:2 Or “Don’t be squeezed into the mold of this present age.” Paul uses the Greek word aion which means “spaces of time” or “present time.” The Aramaic word carries the same idea but it is much deeper in meaning. The Aramaic word is ‘alma, which means “to surround” like being surrounded in time. Paul is warning us not to be conformed to this world surrounded by time, this temporal world coming to an end. We are not to be squeezed into the mold of this world system that is falling apart. Beloved, we are to be living sacrifices, not dead ones. We need to be alive in Christ! Not stuck in a dead religion, but fully alive in our relationship with Jesus! Praise God we are no longer required to slaughter animals for our atonement of sins. Jesus was the ultimate lamb that was slain for the sins of the world. This is not the time to imitate the world, this is the time to imitate Christ! Fulfill what it truly means to be a Christian, living sacrificially, giving, serving, loving, blessing, putting others first. The Christian life is dying to self, not promoting ourselves. We are supposed to point people to Jesus, if they are following us, we have missed it. They need to follow Him! He is the only perfect one that is worthy to be our example. Change the way you think by allowing God's word to be in your thoughts, not the lies of the enemy. You cannot think negative thoughts all day about yourself and others and expect to live in peace and joy. If you want to experience true joy, tell your flesh no! Pray, fast, give, see miracles come to pass and prayers get answered and watch God do mighty works through your obedience! Whatever the world says to do, we are likely instructed to do just the opposite. Love your enemies, pray for them, bless them that persecute you. Don't take revenge or try to get even with people. Stop arguing with your spouse, love people even when they sin. Don't justify the sin, love them through the healing process. Allow Holy Spirit to work in you and transform your mind, this empowers you to do His perfect will and life a beautiful life!