Renew

Ok, so it's been forever since I've blogged. SO WHAT!? Just kidding...

So I was reading Romans 12 as part of our New Thru 30 Bible Study the other day, and something jumped out at me. I've read this chapter several times, but as I was reading this group of scriptures jumped off the page, punched me in the face a couple of times, and then sunk deep into my heart.

Here they are:
"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do no be conformed to this word but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."

Here's the deal with this scripture. When we come to Christ we are to understand that it is a MINDSET change that must take place, which in turn changes our lives. SO, our HEART is cleansed, our MINDS are transformed, and our LIVES are to reflect that? People...living for God IS a works thing, and not just a heart thing! When your heart is TRULY changed your LIFE will reflect that change.
Just like when I get kicked in the shin... my FACE reflects what I'm feeling! My LIFE should reflect what I'm experiencing on the inside. But, HOW?

Paul explains that as well, in verses 4-6
"For just as we have many members in one body and all members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are on body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to exercise them accordingly."

What? We are to REFLECT what is going on inside of us by this: LOVING EACH OTHER REGARDLESS OF GIFTS/QUIRKS/AGGRAVATIONS! We are to love and support one another. We are to be of the same mind. The reason our MIND is to transform after our HEART is cleansed is to be on the same level with Christ. But, if we are all transforming our minds to be on the same level with Christ, then we are all consequently on the same level with each other! SO WHERE IS ALL THE FRUSTRATION, ARGUING, and DISAGREEMENT in the church coming from? NO TRANSFORMATION! We aren't transforming our minds, we are simply judging others. And verse 3 says clearly

"...not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgement..."

WE have a RESPONSIBILITY to TRANSFORM our HEARTS so we can SHAPE our LIVES in order to reflect the MIND of Christ! And we can't understand the mind of Christ until we focus and are overcome with the Holy Spirit, whom God sent after Christ ascended. (1 Corinthians)

Verses 9-10 "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor."

THIS IS THE WILL OF THE FATHER THAT IS GOOD, PLEASING, AND PERFECT!
So, we look for the will of God in our lives, and He does have specific actions, careers, and mates that we should choose, but it's really not that simple. God's SIMPLE, PLEASING, GOOD, and PERFECT will is this: LOVE EACH OTHER and SHOW IT!
We can't care about what's going on in their love life until we care about what's going on in their heart. I can't tell them how to date if I can't tell them how to love God!
I'm tired of seeing Christians search for the Will of God, more than they search for an opportunity to share Christ. The Will of God is to SHARE CHRIST while LOVING EACH OTHER! Simple as that!
My life should be shaped, by the transforming of my mind, which is reflecting the experience of my heart!
I'm ready to enter into a whole new level of dedication to the will of God, I hope I'm not alone...am I?

(if you're from Ebenezer, you may be hearing this again. haha)