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
Our recent meditations have been on the characteristics of a believer possessing a renewed mind versus an unrenewed mind, exploring the differences in lifestyle, motivation, and the ultimate consequence of possessing either. Abraham’s attitude towards God and His angels, when compared to Lot’s, shows differences that are worthy of note when comparing a renewed and an unrenewed mind. In Genesis 18 and 19, both Abraham and Lot encountered messengers of the Lord. Yesterday, we mentioned that God is at home with a believer with a renewed mind due to the presence of faith in them. However, the unrenewed mind is at enmity with God, Romans 8:7. God was quick to accept Abraham’s hospitable advances but rejected Lot’s.
The renewed mind – revealed in service to God.
Abraham: So Abraham hurried into the tent to Sarah. “Quick,” he said, “get three seahs of fine flour and knead it and bake some bread.” (7) Then he ran to the herd and selected a choice, tender calf, and gave it to a servant, who hurried to prepare it. (8) He then brought some curds and milk and the calf that had been prepared and set these before them. While they ate, he stood near them under a tree. Genesis 18:6-8 (NIV).
Lot: My lords,” he said, “please turn aside to your servant’s house. You can wash your feet and spend the night and then go on your way early in the morning.” “No,” they answered, “we will spend the night in the square.” (3) But he insisted so strongly that they did go with him and entered his house. He prepared a meal for them, baking bread without yeast, and they ate. Genesis 19:2-3(NIV)
One of the vital ways you can recognize a renewed mind is not just in service to God but in the attitude of their service to God. Throughout the narrative we can see several words used to convey Abraham’s service to God: he hurried, he hurried again, he ran, he said ‘quick’! Lot did not show such an attitude. He had a rather sluggish approach. It would be the attitude of Lot to arrive at his quiet times with God or the gathering of the saints sluggishly. Abraham didn’t just hurry – he inspired that attitude in his household. This culture of ministering to the Lord is contagious! Abraham considered curds, milk, a choice, and tender calf for three grown men a morsel of bread! This was his attitude to God’s work. The renewed mind has a culture of urgency – it is swift in purpose in the things of the Spirit.
Genesis 18:9-10 captured God’s further dealings with the renewed mind. God’s messages to the believer with the renewed mind are always that of revelation and responsibility which comes with Joy. Here God revealed to Abraham His intent to make Sarah who was barren, a mother of many nations. God’s message to the believer with the unrenewed mind, however, is always that of repentance and rescue, which comes with sorrow. While the Lord was entrusting Isaac to Abraham, He was rescuing Lot from judgment by fire.
God is not mocked. He is also a faithful rewarder. Whatsoever a man sows, he will reap. The soul of the sluggard desireth, and hath nothing: but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. Proverbs 13:4.
Prayer for today: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Word to me today. Lord I have heard Your voice and I choose to awake from any form of spiritual slumber I may have entertained. Father, deliver me from slothfulness and make me diligent in your work. Turn my desires towards you that my soul may delight in the fatness that is in your presence. Let the things of God be my meat and drink and everything else as dung to me. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.
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