Washing The Car

I got my car washed a few days ago and what a difference! All the salt, all the sludge, all the dirt was gone. Just like that, what a transformation! My car looked like it was brand new again, almost like it just came from the dealer's showroom. It's fairly easy to renew the way a vehicle looks. Too bad we can't renew our minds the same way — something quick and easy for five or six bucks.

So why am I talking about renewing our minds? Because God told us to do it in His Word. Romans 12:2 tells us: "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."

How many times have we, as Christians, wished we knew what God's will was for our lives? Let me let you in on a little secret. Our carnal minds don't want anything to do with following God's will. They only want to please our fleshly nature. The problem with this is that we feel empty and without purpose or hope. We believe deep down in our spirits that there is more for us...and there is.

To get hold of God's will and to understand His purpose for our lives, we need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Only then can we begin to grasp the wonderful plans He has designed for our particular life!

How do we do that? If God is a spiritual being, how can we understand His thoughts?

Romans 8:5b: “...those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.”

Let the Holy Spirit lead us. He will guide us into all truth. As we read God's Word, He will open it up to us and cleanse our minds by washing them with the Word.

Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

The Word of God is the true and final authority to help us sort out our thoughts. It will judge them. The Holy Spirit will speak to us through God’s Word and tell us when our thoughts, perceptions, and attitudes are wrong.

The only way we can walk in God’s purpose for our lives is to have the focus of our minds changed from pleasing ourselves to pleasing our God. Then our will is transformed. Then our minds will be renewed. "Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will."

God bless you!
Pastor John