FWD: Morning Manna (Apr. 3); BP: Rom. 12:1-2; RBTTY: Lk. 7:31-50; Judg.

 
Samuel D. High
sdhigh@aristotle.net

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: Apostle Tom <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wed, 2 Apr 2008 16:33:46 -0500
To: <pressingon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Morning Manna (Apr. 3); BP: Rom. 12:1-2; RBTTY: Lk. 7:31-50; Judg.
 

April 3                                                                                                          “Transformed, Not Conformed”

 

“And be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

                                                                                                                                                    Romans 12:2

     Our resemblance reveals our relationship.

     “Oh, he looks just like his daddy!” an admiring relative or friend says.  Or, “She’s a spitting-image of her mama,” a doting neighbor says of her friend’s daughter.

 

     Today’s Manna is a straightforward one that lays out in no uncertain terms what’s expected of us in our new life in Christ.  The Greek word “suschematizo” is used here for “conformed” and basically means “to fashion alike, be patterned after, to be a reproduction of, etc.”  However, it also means “to be molded in the likeness of.”

 

     Thus, it’s talking about someone who claims to be a follower of Christ, yet is a “clone” to the world.  This person is more in tune with the latest fads. . .fashions. . . philosophies, etc., than they are the Word of God and a Spirit-led life.  They are a “chameleon-Christian,” if you will, which is really a “Christian” in name only—a “professor,” but not a “possessor” (Mt. 7:21-23).

 

     That’s why the Apostle Paul call on us to “be transformed,” which comes from the Greek word “metamorphoo,” from which we get “metamorphosis”—the process by which an ugly, creeping caterpillar is mysteriously changed into beautiful, multi-colored, flying-through-the-air butterfly.

 

     When we’re “conformed to this world,” we should not be surprised that we’re constantly at odds with others. . .shooting ourselves in the foot. . .continually feeling guilty and ashamed, etc. . .for we’re still “earthly, sensual and devilish” (James 3:14-16).  And, it’s impossible for this person to commune with God because he’s “at enmity (at war) with God and His enemy” (James 3:4; Rom. 8:6-8).

 

     Only when we’re inwardly “transformed” from an ugly, wretched, sinful, stinking sinner into a new, squeaky-clean, Blood-washed, Blood-bought child of God can we “prove (Grk. ‘dokimazo’—‘to demonstrate, discern, examine, give proof of, etc.’) what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  And, this cannot happen without a “renewing of our mind.”

 

     What does it mean to be “renewed in our minds”?

     Quite simply this:  From birth, our minds are hostile toward God (Rom. 8:6-8).  By nature, we want to blame HIM “for the woman you gave me” (Gen. 3:12) or hurt others (to get back at Him) when they seem more blessed by Him than we are (Gen. 4:3-8).  Or, another way to say it is “We’re angry enemies of God.”

 

     But, when His love enters our heart, we want, in return, to show our love to Him.  We don’t want to grieve His Holy Heart by the things we think, say or do.  That’s why we begin “hiding His Word in our heart so we won’t sin against Him” (Ps.119:105).  May we live in such a way that others will readily notice to Whom we belong and are serving.