RENEW | Day 5 • Renewed Mind: Where Transformation Happens
NOTE: Excerpt from "Renew: Principles of Change for a Better Life." Get the ebook or book and Join In this 30-Day Devotional}
____________________
“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.” Romans 12:2
Paul states that transformation takes place in a believer when something godly happens in his mind. One might think that complete transformation would have occurred when a person received Jesus as Lord. The new birth brings new life and a new spirit to our inner man. The word “transformation” literally means “a metamorphosis.” We best understand metamorphosis in what occurs when a caterpillar becomes a butterfly. The caterpillar is the same insect as the butterfly, but it undergoes a complete transformation. This is a wonderful picture of Christian maturity. The caterpillar is not the person before Christ. This example represents the Christian’s growth potential.
Through renewing the mind, we go from one level of growth and maturity to another. In a matter of a few months or years each of us can experience a change so profound that we would appear to others like butterflies while knowing that we began as caterpillars.
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11) One of the “paths of life” that we are learning here is the importance of renewing our mind.
Another way to think about renewal is in properly refinishing or restoring furniture. It’s easy to spray paint over old wood. A proper restoration will involve removing the old finish and going down to the essence, bare wood. As new Christians, we begin as redeemed “furniture” needing refinishing and enhancement. Of course, a life is far more valuable and complex than furniture, but these examples aid our thinking about being renewed.
Reflection Question: As you continue to transform positively, what are you becoming?
__________________
If you were blessed by this or any other lesson during the RENEW devotional, feel free to share your insights and testimony with me using the "My Testimony" link below.
If you were blessed by this or any other lesson during the RENEW devotional, feel free to share your insights and testimony with me using the "My Testimony" link below.
