Welcome again to The PathSeeker Weekly,
I hope and pray all is well with you. I also I hope I can be of some help to shed a light today in the life God has given you. As it was written, we may live here on this world but we don't have to live in it. I mentioned before Jesus had said that were are and can live in the Kingdom of God right here and right now. The Apostle Paul also wrote that even though he may a Jewish and Roman citizen, but his true citizenship is in Heaven.
I have been using the scripture of Romans 12:2 as the center of this series of messages. Romans 12:2 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. If you have been keeping up with this you know what I am discussing, but if you are reading this for the first time I invite you to view the archives and catch-up to where we are now. As a quick insight of what we have been discussing, I will do a short recap. I have trying to point out some of the trappings we often fall into concerning the first segment of this particular verse: And do not be conformed to this world I have already mentioned here today we may live here on this world but we don't have to live in it. There are many different deceptions and misconceptions our enemy uses to fool or trick us as Christians to live in this world, causing us to conform to this world.
Now I ready to go forward to the next segment of this verse and spend some time over the next several weeks covering but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. First I would look at a couple of these words in particular. To be transformed is a word which means to change. Not only is there change but to change is a process like a metamorphosis.
A caterpillar is transformed through a process of entering into a cocoon and transforming into a butterfly. The caterpillar doesn't just decide it wants to become a butterfly and then poof he is one. Instead it has to go through a metamorphosis, a transformation. Another example from nature would be that of a frog and its transformation from tadpole to adult frog. The main difference between these two illustrations is the caterpillar is hidden from view during transformation within a cocoon, while the tadpole is transformed to a frog it is transformed before your very eyes over a period of time.
These are great examples of our transformation of becoming as Christ or Christ like. During a transformation of living in the realm of the prince of this world we are transformed towards the mind of Christ through the renewing of your mind. Here is the second word I want to emphasize, . This word renewing again has a meaning of change. Also renewing or to be renewed is a process not necessarily a quick transformation.
You may hire a carpenter to come into your home and remodel every room inside. While you live there you can see the transformations taking place within. Immediately the very first day you can see the changes taking place, as soon as the carpenters begin work these is a demolition of some sorts as walls may be torn out or the floors uncovered to reveal the innermost structure of the home. This original stage of the process often looks ugly and a large mess visible and whatever damage that has occurred through deterioration is revealed. During the next stage the mess is cleaned up, the structure has been repaired and new changes begin to take place. Over the period of time everything has been repaired a renewed to a state of a new look and design. Then you have a renewed home.
The man Jesus who lived here and later became known as the Son of Man. Was born into the home of a carpenter and worked as a carpenter during the early years of His life here on earth. Then as well as being a part of the creation, Jesus also is the most important part of our rebuilding or renewing part of our lives. Jesus explained this to Nicodemus:
John 3:1 There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him. 3 Jesus answered and said to him, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God 4 Nicodemus said to Him, How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born? 5 Jesus answered, Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God .. 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
Still there is one more important aspect to this segment of this verse, and that is where the transformation and renewal is to take place. The Mind. Through out the bible, the mind is referred as the where all good or evil deeds begin to sprout and take root. It is the mind where Peter says to take action.
NIV 1 Peter 1:13 Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Ephesians 4:17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, 18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; 19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But you have not so learned Christ, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Here in verse 23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind. Again we find this word renewed used as the means to put on the new man which was created according to God. Just as Jesus explained to Nicodemus, God wants you to put on the new man which was created according to God.
Over the period of the next several weeks I plan to cover and try to help not just you but me as well to acquire the mind of Christ.
Philippians 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Thank you and God Bless,
Tommy Harmon
*All scripture quotes are from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible unless otherwise noted
© 2006, 2007 Tommy Harmon www.thepathseeker.com