Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
The Need for Change
When God called us, He called us not to be conformed to the world but to be transformed by the renewing or regenerating of our minds to know God’s good and acceptable and perfect will (Rom. 12:2) and to then do that which is His will. Our spiritual duty is to make our bodies a living sacrifice and live a holy life that is acceptable in God’s sight (Rom. 12:1). We cannot change on our own, though, because our natural fleshly desires war against what is right. We might have the desire to do what is good, but our old nature keeps pulling at us to do what is evil (Rom. 7:18-19). We can’t do anything in our own strength (John 15:5); however, in Christ we can do what is right (Phil. 4:13). That is step one: We know we need to change but must acknowledge we can’t do it on our own.
The Power of Change
The power to change a vile, wicked human being into one who does the will of God is not within us. It is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, just as the Gospel had the power to save us (Rom. 1:16). Jesus tells us that we need to repent and believe (Mark 1:15), but even this is a work of God because none of us can come to Christ without God’s calling (John 6:44). God Himself is the One Who grants repentance (2 Tim. 2:25). What is the biggest change you need to make in your life in this coming year? If you can identify it, then ask for God’s help in this particular area by the power of His Spirit and then trust Him to do what is impossible by yourself, but with Him all things are possible (Matt. 19:26).
The Effect of Change
Many people are seeking to know God’s will for their lives, but until we do that which is clearly revealed in Scripture as the will of God, He will not give us more light. For example, we know it’s God’s will to give thanks in every circumstance we find ourselves (1 Thess. 5:18), but we need to be taught by reading the Bible what God’s will is. This doesn’t mean that we can’t also ask Him to teach us His will (Psalm 143:10). It’s obviously His will that we need to abstain from all sexual immorality (1 Thess. 4:3), thereby fulfilling part of His will by silencing those who would accuse us of any sin (1 Pet. 2:15). So again I ask you, what is the biggest change you need to make in your life in the next year? Ask for God’s help and He will surely empower you and reveal what change is needed if you don’t already know what that is.
A Closing Prayer
Father, I know I need to change and become more and more like Your Son and live a life of holiness inasmuch as I can, and where I can’t, please help me do this by Your Spirit. In the glorious name of Jesus Christ I pray.
Amen
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