The Power Of A Transformed Life Part 8
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. Romans 12:1-2 (AMP)
The church is indifferent to the will of God. At times, we are casual about it and not serious. As Christians, we should be serious and not casual about our relationship with God. The truth offends in our lives. There should be something that causes offence to others. Many persons in the church and outside of the church are offended by speaking in tongues, healing and being rich (Acts 10:38, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Psalm 12:1-3).
Transformation can be summed up into one word, ‘sanctification’. Without holiness, no one can see the Lord (2 Corinthians 7:1). The word ‘transformation’ means to go under a metamorphosis. When transformation occurs, you become someone completely different. When we renew our minds, transformation comes by the Holy Spirit God accomplishes transformation through the Spirit and the Word in our lives. Looking back at our lives, we must ask if there is a difference between now and when we were first saved. Our lives are to even look different from last year. How can we measure a change in our lives? We can measure change by our words and our actions. Our words are a manifestation of our thoughts and our actions are a manifestation of our words.
We have been given a covenant of transformation. Its goal is our prosperity. We need a revelation of who Jesus is. He is Jehovah Jireh, our provider. Our focus shouldn’t be on money but upon God. God is Jehovah Shalom. The word translated for ‘Shalom’ is peace. The word ‘shalom’ refers to many things and not only peace. Research the word ‘shalom’ today to get a full understanding of what it means.
The same process God used in the beginning to create, He uses in the process of sanctification (Genesis 1:1-3). Sanctification is the confession of sins with our mouths and our hearts. We then become holy and sanctified. However, when we accept God as our Saviour, we still have a number of issues that need to be dealt with. We then undergo progressive sanctification where we take personal responsibility for our lives. We work out our salvation with fear and trembling.
What God used to create was invisible (Hebrews 11:3). He used the Spirit and sound. God spoke and things happened immediately. In order for change to come, the Holy Spirit must hover over our lives and the Word of God must come alive in us. We cannot only be changed by the Word. We need the Spirit. Some people only have the Spirit but no word. The Holy Spirit and the Word go together. We must allow them to change our internal wiring. There must be seasons of prayer and reading the Word (Matthew 17:14-20). We can be transformed by our commitment to being in the presence of God. We must binge on the Word of God. It must be in our hearts and in our mouths (Deuteronomy 6:1-9). Many times, we only speak our problems and not the word. We speak our problems into existence and then our lives turn upside down. Life and death are in the power of the tongue. What we focus on, we bring into our life.
Hear, O children, the instruction of a father, and pay attention [and be willing to learn] so that you may gain understanding and intelligent discernment. 2 For I give you good doctrine; Do not turn away from my instruction. 3 When I was a son with my father (David), Tender and the only son in the sight of my mother (Bathsheba), 4 He taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; Keep my commandments and live. 5 “Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 “Do not turn away from her (Wisdom) and she will guard and protect you; Love her, and she will watch over you. 7 “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]. 8 “Prize wisdom [and exalt her], and she will exalt you; She will honor you if you embrace her. Proverbs 4:1-8 (AMP)
Our thoughts are the most important part of us, not our education or our bank account. Our thoughts determine our actions. Our thoughts may be changed concerning sin but not concerning sickness or money. We need to repent and be sanctified. The solution to our problems is the Word of God. We have the solution but we don’t use it. The Word should be on the inside of us. We can’t wait for crisis to come in our lives for us to get into the Word. It must be in us and alive in us.
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