Romans 12: 1-2 tells us “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. 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.”
Often you hear people today talking about being in the will of God and identifying a life’s purpose. Chances are that this topic is the most discussed in (and out) of Christian circles. I speak to many people in various careers who find no joy in the work they do and live for one thing--the day of retirement.
The beauty of the bible is that it gives a blueprint for living, if we choose to use it as such. Roman’s 12:1-2 paints a beautiful picture of living within the realm of God’s will by doing two specific things:
1. Presenting your bodies a living sacrifice,
2. Renewing of your mind
The word of God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “ It is clear that he has a plan for us, but what is hindering this plan from manifesting for many? From a scriptural perspective, I am convinced that the answer is found in Romans 12:1-2. The scripture tells us in the beginning of verse 2 “And do not conform to this world.” It is impossible to conform to secular humanistic standards of moral relativism and achieve God inspired outcomes. Translating, this means,
“We cannot fill ourselves up with worldly desires and expectations and expect spiritual led results.”
One day I was watching a football game with my 8 year old and a commercial came on that was majorly inappropriate for an adult, let alone a child. I decided at that moment “enough is enough.” I could not see how I was going to raise Godly children using worldly devices so I ended the reign of the TV in our home☺. We now control the images that go into our heads via videos and other tools that promote what we stand for as believers. By placing a spiritual filter in our lives, we begin to assess our actions and activities through the lens of God’s commands instead of human reasoning. This is not just a television decision; it applies to every area of our lives.
Secondly, the scriptures tell us that we achieve God’s will by three specific ways:
1. Presenting our bodies a living sacrifice
2. Not confirming to this world (aforementioned)
3. Renewing of our minds
It is evident to me that in order to renew our minds, we must first present ourselves as a living sacrifice and not conform to this world. In short, I am convinced that because of the influence of the world on so many people, whenever we choose to fully do it God’s way, our lives become sacrificial. We have operated in a certain way for so long that when we decide to change, it becomes difficult internally. As football fanatic, I can tell you firsthand that it was sacrificial to stop watching sports on TV. However, I love God more than I do football, so I sacrificed television related football. The images being communicated during commercials were inappropriate for me and my children to watch.
In closing, when we take to heart the scriptures found in Romans 12:1-2, we begin to have a clearer view of the pathway (and plan) God laid out for us. I am not saying that we must become hermits as God led people, but we must have our spiritual filters on. We need to protect our minds and the minds of those we love. The enemy of our souls attacks this area more than any other.
Whoever controls our minds, controls our being. If we follow Matthew 22:37 “ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”, our minds will be fully protected and our life purposes and will intact.
Darrell "Coach D" Andrews
 |
| src: http://jsninaber.blogspot.de |
Often you hear people today talking about being in the will of God and identifying a life’s purpose. Chances are that this topic is the most discussed in (and out) of Christian circles. I speak to many people in various careers who find no joy in the work they do and live for one thing--the day of retirement.
The beauty of the bible is that it gives a blueprint for living, if we choose to use it as such. Roman’s 12:1-2 paints a beautiful picture of living within the realm of God’s will by doing two specific things:
1. Presenting your bodies a living sacrifice,
2. Renewing of your mind
The word of God tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. “ It is clear that he has a plan for us, but what is hindering this plan from manifesting for many? From a scriptural perspective, I am convinced that the answer is found in Romans 12:1-2. The scripture tells us in the beginning of verse 2 “And do not conform to this world.” It is impossible to conform to secular humanistic standards of moral relativism and achieve God inspired outcomes. Translating, this means,
“We cannot fill ourselves up with worldly desires and expectations and expect spiritual led results.”
One day I was watching a football game with my 8 year old and a commercial came on that was majorly inappropriate for an adult, let alone a child. I decided at that moment “enough is enough.” I could not see how I was going to raise Godly children using worldly devices so I ended the reign of the TV in our home☺. We now control the images that go into our heads via videos and other tools that promote what we stand for as believers. By placing a spiritual filter in our lives, we begin to assess our actions and activities through the lens of God’s commands instead of human reasoning. This is not just a television decision; it applies to every area of our lives.
Secondly, the scriptures tell us that we achieve God’s will by three specific ways:
1. Presenting our bodies a living sacrifice
2. Not confirming to this world (aforementioned)
3. Renewing of our minds
It is evident to me that in order to renew our minds, we must first present ourselves as a living sacrifice and not conform to this world. In short, I am convinced that because of the influence of the world on so many people, whenever we choose to fully do it God’s way, our lives become sacrificial. We have operated in a certain way for so long that when we decide to change, it becomes difficult internally. As football fanatic, I can tell you firsthand that it was sacrificial to stop watching sports on TV. However, I love God more than I do football, so I sacrificed television related football. The images being communicated during commercials were inappropriate for me and my children to watch.
In closing, when we take to heart the scriptures found in Romans 12:1-2, we begin to have a clearer view of the pathway (and plan) God laid out for us. I am not saying that we must become hermits as God led people, but we must have our spiritual filters on. We need to protect our minds and the minds of those we love. The enemy of our souls attacks this area more than any other.
Whoever controls our minds, controls our being. If we follow Matthew 22:37 “ Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”, our minds will be fully protected and our life purposes and will intact.
Darrell "Coach D" Andrews
