subject: Deepening Our Relationship With Jesus Through The Renewing Of Our Minds [print this page] Paul writing to the Romans in chapter 12 verse 2 makes it very clear that on becoming believers we are to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
If we transform something we change it from one thing into another. A caterpillar is transformed into a butterfly. The caterpillar is, therefore, no longer recognisable. In repenting and receiving the life of Jesus we are to be so transformed that our original state is unrecognisable.
However, like the caterpillar and the butterfly this is a process; it doesn't happen over night! But how is this process to take place?
The answer is clearly given in the above mentioned scripture; by the renewing of our minds. If we renew something then we restore it to its former glory, we repair it or rebuild it.
When God created us He saw that it was very good, Genesis 1 v 31. And David writes in Psalm 139 v 14, 'I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made'.
So when we talk about being transformed and renewed then something very dramatic should be taking place in our spirit, in our soul and ultimately in our body that is noticeable by others, particularly by the non-believer.
As believers we are to feed on the Word. Jesus is both the Living Word and the written word. This does not mean just simply reading the Bible but really getting to know it by heart so that we can talk about the different doctrines and themes.
The Word of God is to become part of us. But here we come face to face with the real problem. We are lazy!
It appears to be much easier to be spoon-fed by other people than to really study the Word for ourselves allowing the Holy Spirit to teach, train and disciple us. How do I know this? Because to my regret I walked that path for many years.
Yes, I was being transformed, yes my mind was being renewed but not accurately to the Word of God but to the opinions, thoughts and interpretations of others. Yes, I read the scriptures and yes I studied certain aspects but I didn't really have the close relationship with Jesus that I now enjoy.
When I truly and sincerely started to cry out to God for some understanding, He graciously started to send the answers. And He has wonderfully led me to do some things I never dreamed I could or would do.
After returning last year from my first ever 6 week visit to Malawi, Africa working as a missionary, my daughter-in-law said, 'Gosh, you look younger'! What a comment! It proved to me that as we learn more and more to love Jesus passionately, He truly is able to transform us into His image.
Three times in John chapter 14 Jesus links obedience and love together. 'If you love me you will obey my commands' and in 1 John 2 v 5 it says, 'If anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him'.
How complete, how mature are we? Can we quote the six elementary doctrines listed in Hebrews 6? Could we talk about each one for 10 minutes? The writer to the Hebrews says in chapter 5 v 11-12, 'We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food'.
How history seems to be sadly repeating itself! Until we are obedient to God's word, which comes through understanding what He has already done for us, and until we passionately desire Him Who is our very great reward, we will not mature and not be in a position to teach and help others.
What we read, what we listen to and what we look at are three key ways to transform our mind. Maybe it's time to have a check up on these three very influential aspects in our lives. If we are still in love with the world we will not be making progress in the right direction.
Only by obedience through love for Him and love for His Word and His Life will our minds be renewed and our lives transformed in the right way. Only then will our relationship with Him deepen and our joy be complete. John 15 v 11.
