TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF OUR MIND

In Paul’s letters, this word TRANSFORMATION is used to describe an inward, metabolic-like renewal of a Christian’s mind through which an inner spirit is changed into the likeness of Christ. Paul told the Romans believers: “Do not be conformed to this world; but be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2). The best way to escape conforming to this world is not by trying to be unlike the world, but by allowing ourselves to become like Christ. Furthermore, this change is not effected by a change in outward behavior, but by a change in one’s thinking.

Transformation begins in the mind and continues in the mind. A transformed mind produces transformed behavior. The transformed behavior will empower you to acquire the nature, character and blessings that belong to brethren that live in that realm of Christ-likeness.

As one’s Christian life progresses, he or she should gradually notice that one’s thought life is being changed from Christ-less-ness to Christ-likeness. Transformation does not happen overnight. People are transformed to Christ’s image gradually, as they spend time in intimate fellowship with Him (2 Cor. 3:18).

This involves communion with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14), and continual looking at the law of liberty (James 1:25). It is the Spirit of God that quickens us, the word of God is spirit and its unveiling brings the desired change and a new thought pattern, life style and mind-set.

For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that uses milk is un-skilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongs to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil Heb. 5:12-14

There are immature Christians who are spiritual babes feeding on the milk of the Word of God but strong meat belongs to mature Christians who value, live in and obey the word of God until the engrafted word transforms them and renew their souls after ridding self of all superfluity of naughtiness and every weight and sin that easily beset us.

Eventually, we will begin to mirror Jesus Christ who we beholds through the illumination that the Holy Spirit gives (Eph.1:16-18), and the unveiling of the WORD of God. Paul said, “But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18, NASB).

This renewing of our mind is the adjustment of the moral and spiritual vision and thinking to the mind of God, which is designed to have a transforming effect upon our lives; in Titus 3:5, where "the renewing of the Holy Spirit" is not a fresh bestowment of the Spirit, but a revival of His power, developing the Christian life; this passage stresses the continual operation of the indwelling Spirit of God; the passage stresses the willing response on the part of the believer.

And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Col 3:10 KJV

This new man is in contrast to the old carnal mind or unregenerate nature and has the knowledge of Christ. It is totally different from the law that condemns and keeps us in bondage.

And when Asa heard these words, and the prophecy of Oded the prophet, he took courage, and put away the abominable idols out of all the land of Judah and Benjamin, and out of the cities which he had taken from mount Ephraim, and renewed the altar of the LORD, that was before the porch of the LORD. 2Ch 15:8 KJV 

Our heart is now the New Testament altar of the Lord and its renewal or restoration to the original mind-set happens where the WORD of God is given pre-eminence and allowed to be inscribed on our hearts through the laser beam of the Spirit of God.

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and LEARN OF ME; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye SHALL FIND REST UNTO YOUR SOULS. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 KJV 

The key word to finding rest for our souls, such that it aligns itself with knowing God is to learn of God’s will and ways in the scriptures…learn of me. We must learn the unforced rhythms of grace through the scriptures.

So a previous physical regulation and command is cancelled because of its weakness and ineffectiveness and uselessness. For the Law never made anything perfect--but instead a better hope is introduced through which we [now] come close to God. Hebrews 7:18-19 AMP.

We cannot put new wine in old wine skin. The new wine is put inside new wine skin which is a new mind-set. The old mind-set is weak, ineffective, condemns, useless, genders to sin, unprofitable and cannot bring perfection. Welcome to the season of better hope, better promises and better life.

This new mind-set brings convictions so that we can confess our sins which are forgiven immediately we do. Everything hinges on grace and truth.

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away Isa 64:6 

We can work out your salvation with fear and trembling but after that everything comes to us on the platter of grace, truth and glory. Our righteousness is said to be as filthy rag so we must acquire or receive the righteousness which is a free gift from God. Jesus died so that we can become the righteousness of God in Him.

For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2Cor. 5:21 

Culled from the upcoming book “A new mindset” by Joses Hizkiah