Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Is It Good Enough for You

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2). The principles set forth here are simple, we are not to take ungodly men's ideas or opinions as a rule for life, we are to renounce this world system and seek the wisdom of Christ. The Greek word "Conform" is the word we use for "Plastic." The Ideal is "Stop letting the world mold you into its image." Our writer goes on to say "Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." This comes when we saturate our mind with the Word of God. We are not to conform to this world system because the spirit of this world is the prince of darkness, the evil one himself. The better we know the Scriptures the better equipped we are to recognize demonic thinking. The world and the flesh work in concert with the devil to carry out his will. The transformation God seeks comes from the inside out and results in a new form of life. The word "Transform" is the Greek word from which we get the word "Metamorphose." The change in our lives is much like the radical change that happens when a caterpillar turns into a butterfly. This transformation results in our being able to discern what is the "Good and pleasing and perfect will of God." God's will is well pleasing to Him and to us. I believe we need a transformed mind in order to understand and accept His will. Much of what God does makes little to no sense to the unregenerate mind. I know of a young man who was running away from God. One night, this rebellious young man was riding on the back of a friends tractor, the tractor was struck by a drunk driver traveling at a high rate of speed. The young man lost a leg in the accident, but gained a relationship with God. A holy hush swept over the church service when this new convert stood on wobbly crutches and said "I am glad the Lord took my leg, for in doing so He saved my soul," only the redeemed could amen such a testimony. I do not have the capacity to understand all the reasons God has for doing what He does. He is working from eternity to eternity and He certainly sees what is coming and how it fits into His perfect will for our lives. We "See through a glass darkly" at times I don't even see that well. I am often amazed at how I can see a situation in my life one way, and then gain some further understanding and it looks totally different. That is why He wants us to know His will, His good, pleasing, and perfect will. He ordained it, that's good enough for me. Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

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