By Him

Rom.12:² “Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Today, we pick up from where we stopped yesterday, which is, it is erroneous to believe that once you are under the blood, it does not matter how you live. God shows us in His Word that who we are and how we live are inseparable. Take the example of the children of earthly kings, who they  are and how they live is inseparable. They live like royalty and that demands that they behave in certain ways. They do not just grab food from the dining table with their hands. They are well tutored in the ethics of fine dining. God, the King of kings is saying, you are mine!”

I was in the boarding house in secondary school and every time my mother drops me off, she says, “Remember whose child you are!” I think those words were torturous. Even though I was very quiet, I was the brain behind all the mischief. I was not the loudest but the blueprint for every strike originated from me. So while we are in the process of drawing up the plan and preparing to strike, I would hear, “Remember whose son who you are!” That just spoils everything for me, so I will have to give an excuse not to show up or abandon the project altogether. Why? It is because who you are cannot be separated from how you behave.

Eph.4:²³ “Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.” When you let the Holy Spirit renew your thoughts and attitude, your actions flow automatically from your renewed mind. The challenge is when we get saved our minds are not renewed and so we struggle. However, when we allow the Holy Spirit to renew our minds, then our thoughts and our attitudes are influenced by Him, then our actions follow suit. When we allow the Holy Spirit to renew our thoughts and mind, then we “Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.” (Eph.4:24).

When we allow God to renew our thoughts and our minds, in collaborative Bible study, by reading the Word, by having fellowship, by attending life groups, by praying, we put on the new person. Then we display true righteousness and holiness. True righteousness and holiness is not a result of having a strong will or having the ability to make things happen. Or having the ability to keep the rules, or being able to obey the Ten Commandments, or from keeping up with all the Do’s and Don’ts. True righteousness and holiness flow from a renewed mind and a renewed attitude by God’s Spirit.

Prayer: Holy Spirit, I open my heart to Your renewing power; renew my thoughts and attitudes so that I can truly be like God in all things, in Jesus Name. Amen!