Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Rom 12:2). 

To answer question 4 in Chapter 1, first I looked up this verse in one of the most popular Bible translations (New American Standard, NAS).  It is such a familiar verse in this version, especially this part: do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  But I wanted to see it in another version, to gain a better feel for it by taking a look at it from a different angle.  I LOVED the other translation of the verse (above), especially this part: but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.  This is the essence of sanctification!  This is how we can be made to be more like Christ.  This is the grace of God – what He does for us, what cannot do for ourselves, all just because.  Why?  Just because.  Because He loves us, because He wants to, because He can.  Awesome!  So I see this verse breaking down into four (totally obvious) parts:

1. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world – We need to remember (and tell our children) that, as Christians, sometimes we won’t fit in with others because we are different.  That is a good thing, even if is is hard sometimes.  As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16).  Did you catch that?  …when you lived in ignorance…before God transformed your mind and changed the way you think.
2. Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think – We “struggle with sin”.  How many times have you heard that?  I guess, for the most part, the truth is that we are struggling with God.  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 6:22-23).  Jesus has defeated sin.  And if we belong to Him, He offers to transform us into a new person (therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.  The old has passed away; behold, the new has come 2 Cor 5:17).  Sounds good so far.  What’s the catch?  We have to allow Him to change the way we think.  Uh oh.  That’s the painfully hard part because we really tend to hold on to our old, comfortable, (wrong) ways.  Yet this is what it means to repent: to turn away from sin and go the other way;  by letting God change the way we think, by letting Him rescue us from ourselves.   Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires (Rom 8:5).  God’s way of thinking is a better way and He tells us how to do it.  Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things (Phil 4:8).
3. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you – yay!  Here is the promise.  I love God’s promises.  If we let Him change the way we think, we will learn to know God’s will for us.  Note: it doesn’t say you will know God’s will for you but that you will learn to know God’s will for you.  This Christian life is a journey.  Learning to know God’s voice and His will for us is part of the renewing of our mind.
4. Which is good and pleasing and perfect – God’s will for us is good and pleasing and perfect.  His will is for..our..good. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose (Rom 8:28).  The important part to remember is that He knows what is good for us better than we do.  Forgetting that leads to all sorts of heartache. “What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator. Does a clay pot argue with its maker? Does the clay dispute with the one who shapes it, saying, ‘˜Stop, you’re doing it wrong!’ Does the pot exclaim, ‘˜How clumsy can you be?’ (Is 45:9).  The only peace is in remembering how small we are and how big He is.  “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” (Is 55:8-9).  Back to thinking again.  His thoughts are higher – so who better to transform our minds, to teach us new ways to think?

This Chapter is about so much more.  I focused on one scripture because God showed me that I need to do a  better job of letting go and letting Him renew my mind.  For me, the spiritual battlefield is in the mind – I need to let God change the way I think.  But the promise is that He will change the way I think, and when He does, He will transform me in ways I could never do myself.  And I will learn to know (and do) His will.

Some of you have finished the first chapter, some of you are starting it…this is the beauty and flexibility of our online study.  But in order for it to work at its best, please, whenever you finish the chapter, return to the website and to this post and leave a comment.  I look forward to hearing from you about what touched your heart (and mind) in this chapter!  Thank you for joining me today 🙂

JustaGirl…just like you