Romans 12:2

Do not conform 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 12:2


I think the key word here is “transformed.” We live in a herd society. Whatever is in fashion, everyone wants. Whoever is popular, we imitate them. If you can get a crowd in a frenzy, they will follow you. I used to hear the statement, “If someone jumped off a bridge, would you do it too?” as a way of getting the person to think about what and who they were following. The statement was to be a way of testing the objectives of another. In the Christian world, we are called sheep for a reason, for we follow the Good Shepherd, Jesus. It is Him we wish to emulate and it is Him who is our guide. If we do not have a good foundation on which to stand, we are led by every fad out there and will conform to the present patterns of the world. Jesus’ Spirit is our transforming agent. Without His power and presence in our lives, the world pulls easily on our strings. We follow because we are followers. A discernment is necessary to know if we are following for right and good reasons; are they godly reasons, or selfish. This we must judge in every person, and every cause, for even those in church leadership may be led astray and cause us to follow. When we are transformed by the Holy Spirit, our minds lead us to new habits, we appear as new persons, we become radically different and our tastes reflect that change. It is only when we follow the example of Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit, judging through His lens, that we can prove truly the will and purpose of God in our life. When our transformation is complete and the whole of our life changed, then the will of God is perfectly fulfilled in us.

Pastor Julia

image: Chris Lawton

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