I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. [2] And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
ROMANS 12:1-2 KJV
A renewed mind is necessary for all who will live the God life on earth. Yesterday, we said that the mind stands as a gateway – As the ‘customs service’. It detects the spiritual goods seeking entry into the man’s world or experience. The promoting, propagation, permission, discerning and display of God’s will is impossible without a renewed mind. This is because God has determined that the heavens are His and the earth belongs to the sons of men, Psalm 115:16. Where minds are not renewed, the will of God remains unknown which is dangerous, or the will of God remains misrepresented which is even more dangerous, John 16:2-3. The means of God’s royal entry into the earth is through the brilliance or radiance of the transformed mind.
The renewed mind brings the brilliance, purity, power, purpose and agenda of God to fruition on the earth, just like Jesus did. When there’s a renewed mind, there’s an increasing fulfilment of God’s purpose. The un-renewed mind therefore isn’t just a challenge, it is a resistance, it is at war with God and it is bent on frustrating the purposes of God as Romans 8:7 says. As we explore the benefits of the renewed mind, we will analyze two kinds of believers using the life of Abraham and Lot. These two people strikingly typify the workings of a renewed mind and an un-renewed mind respectively. Abraham is called “RIGHTEOUS” in Genesis 15:6, Romans 4:1-5 and Galatians 3:6. Lot is also called “RIGHTEOUS” in 2 Peter 2:7. The difference between Abraham and Lot wasn’t in the quality of the gift of righteousness they were credited with, but the degree to which they allowed that credited righteousness to impact their souls.
As believers we also have received the gift of righteousness (Romans 5:17). However, the degree to which our lives are transformed as we give ourselves to consecration will be to the degree at which our minds are renewed. There are two kinds of believers: Those who are declared righteous but live life at the level of animal existence (walking by sensory perceptions) and those who are declared righteous by faith and continue to walk by that faith – living as eagles in God’s firmaments (Consecrated saints ). Genesis 13:1-7 showed an interaction between Abraham and Lot and their understanding of true riches. There was strife between the herds men of Abraham and Lot and Abrahams reaction showed that he had a different understanding of what true riches are. To the renewed mind, glory and riches are realities and virtues that exists in the estate of God. Lot had Flocks, herds, tents but no altar, Abraham had flocks, herds, tents, silver and gold and most importantly, an altar.
This shows a key point to note as we conclude todays meditation: Devotion to God is a key ingredient of the renewed mind. Devotion is the proof of active faith. That we walk by faith is first seen and observed by our willingness to draw from God intentionally, our characters and culture. Abraham came out of his fathers house completely. However, Lot left Ur, but Ur never left him. Until God is greater than gold to you, the pursuit of gold will remain the meaning of life. It is very easy for gold to take the place of God. The deception of the century is the deceit that God and mammon can share the same throne, Matthew 6:24. Yet a man of understanding, having his mind renewed will know that all these are passing away. They will, like Abraham, seek the coming Kingdom whose builder and maker is God, Hebrews 11:14-16. Such truths of the Kingdom can only be communicated to a person at the altar, in their devotion to God.
Beloved, treasure your time of devotion with your Lover and Lord. It will be the difference between those who survive the days ahead and those who are swept away with the coming judgment on wickedness on the earth.
Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing Your Word to me. Father help me not to carried away by the deceitfulness of riches and the fleeting glories of this present World. Father, let my eyes be single. Help me to be a diligent seeker of your kingdom. I know you diligently reward all those that seek you. I know in seeking you, all other things shall be added unto me. Yet, may I never serve mammon. You are my Lord forever in Jesus name. Amen.
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