Good morning friends,
To begin, I want to share a devotional blog from blb.org. It was today’s and I’m not sure I can say much more than this! LOL (you know I will..;)) http://blogs.blueletterbible.org/blb/2012/01/10/our-sufficiency-is-from-god/ Please take some time to read it. And if I’m not your fb friend yet, let’s connect. I shared it there as well…
I, of course, share the verses surrounding Romans 12:2 but I’m just going to work on verse 2. In parentheses, are the Greek words with their definitions. The bold is the actual verse.
Romans 12: 1I APPEAL to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.
2Do not be conformed to(“to fashion or shape one thing like another,” is translated “conformed” in Rom 12:2,) this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (of believers, Rom 12:2, “be ye transformed,” the obligation being to undergo a complete change which, under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct; morphe lays stress on the inward change,) by the [entire] renewal (“a renewal,” is used in Rom 12:2, “the renewing (of your mind),” i.e., the adjustment of the moral and spiritual vision and thinking to the mind of God, which is designed to have a transforming effect upon the life;) of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good (which is “good,” lit., “the good,” as being morally honorable, pleasing to God, and therefore beneficial. Christians are to prove it, Rom 12:2; to cleave to it,) and acceptable (eu, “well,” arestos, “pleasing,” is rendered “acceptable,” in the AV of Rom 12:1, 2; 14:18; in 2Cr 5:9, “accepted;” Eph 5:10. The RV usually has “well-pleasing;”)and perfect(of “things, complete, perfect,” Rom 12:2; 1Cr 13:10 (referring to the complete revelation of God’s will and ways, whether in the completed Scriptures or in the hereafter); ) [in His sight for you].
3For by the grace (unmerited favor of God) given to me I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
You ever notice that the transforming of your mind is, at times, painful? Hard? Noticing that your brain just took a train to sadness, fear, anxiety and not even realizing how it has affected you until you are already a train wreck. Paul understands this all to well and I think that this laying aside of our “supposed” rights to humble ourselves to be subject to Him who holds the world in His hands, requires our thoughts to be continually analyzed. Breath prayers all day long to continue the connection b/w God and us. He never breaks that connection. It’s all us. Yet what we gain in the process of continually seeking after His will..not after what the world holds as significant. Humbling ourselves to listen to His voice.
What blessing can be found in this continual renewal of our minds! Pray on for your spouse. Pray on for your families. That we would be clay moldable by the Potter’s hand..with love,
Cara
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