I believe professing Christians should have a sound understanding of this important subject on mental transformation, for it gives an individual a firm foundation for their faith in Jesus Christ.
Also, we can share this important truth with others who are seeking to grasp the true Christian experience. The Apostle Paul reveals for us in Romans 12:2 (NKJ), "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Why is this so necessary? So that you can prove what is good and acceptable in the will of God. Isn't this what all Christians desire? I sincerely hope so. For how can we be pleasing to our Lord if we are totally unaware of what He expects from us?
Now, let's examine how this transformation takes place, for it is a gift from God the Father. Colossians 1:26 speaks of a mystery which has been hidden from generations, but is now revealed to the Gentiles, which are in Christ. This mystery is "Christ in you, the hope of glory:" Yes, that's right, Jesus made the Holy Spirit from His Father available to mankind by the sacrifice He became so that our sins could be forgiven. He paid our debt sin in full, He is our atonement.
Turn to Ephesians 2:8, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and not of yourselves, it is the gift from God." Paul gives believers a warning about the necessity of this transformation in II Corinthians 13:5, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you, unless indeed you are disqualified."
The Holy Spirit, product of this transformation, dwells in you, not just around you, but inside your very being. This is why Jesus instructed the Jewish priest, Nicodemus, that he must be born again, John 3:5, "Assuredly I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, they cannot enter the Kingdom of God." This is the foundational understanding in God's plan for you, leading to the transformation of your mind and soul. Now, you are a new person as scripture tells us in Ephesians 4:22-32. Remember, the Holy Spirit gives you the strength to transform yourself into what is pleasing to God. All things are possible through Christ living in you.
This transformation produces the new person as stated above. The old you is dead to the ways of your former conduct, wants and desires. This new you has been created according to God in true righteousness and holiness, for He lives in you, read Ephesians 4:22-32. Don't let corrupt words proceed from your mouth, but speak in a way that edifies the one you are speaking to.
I have heard too many professing Christians using foul language and also young Christians living together out of wedlock, this must not be, for this is defilement. Remember, you are a "child of God." Romans 8:15-16, "For we have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit bearing witness with our Spirit, that we are the children of God." Now, we can have an intimate relationship with our Heavenly Father, asking Him to direct us in our new life in understanding of His ways.
God the Father must call a person before one can believe in His Son. The Holy Spirit is involved in this "calling," the force God uses to accomplish His will. For example, in Acts 13:48 we read, "When the Gentiles heard the Gospel, they were glad and glorified the Word of God, as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed." Also, Acts 15:8, "S0 God, who knows the heart, acknowledged them (Gentiles), by giving them the Holy Spirit." Verse 14, "Peter has declared how God at the first visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name." Another example is the story about Lydia from Thayatira, who heard the Gospel being taught and believed, her heart opened by the Lord to heed what Paul spoke about, Acts 16:13. This was her calling, for God must call you to Himself, John 6:44. By surrendering to this calling, you will then be transformed into a child of God.
Craig Joyner has worked and served in the Hot Springs area for more than 20 years. He studies the Word of God and shares with others his findings. His objective is for believers to draw closer to the Lord, clinging to His eternal truths and not be deceived in these end times.
Religion on 09/24/2016