WHAT DOES GOD EXPECT OF ME?
BIBLE PASSAGE:
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.
(Romans 12:2)
MEDITATION:
Have you ever thought to yourself,
“I want to please God, but what does He expect of me?”
You may wonder,
“How can I know what God expects of me?”
“What pleases God and fulfills His will for my life?”
Do we have any responsibility in determining God’s will for our lives?
Will we struggle with finding peace and happiness until we discover
His will for us? Fortunately, Paul provides answers to these types of
questions. He tells us we can find answers in only two steps.
First he says that we should not ‘conform to the pattern of the world’.
What does he mean? The word ‘conform’ means we are controlled
by influences from the outside. In the dictionary, the word is defined
as ‘being the same or similar to something’.
Webster also includes
‘doing what other people do’
and
‘to behave in a way that is accepted by most people’.
We might look at these descriptions and think,
“That doesn’t sound bad; what is wrong with conforming?”
But, we have to remember that Paul said,
‘do not conform to the pattern of the WORLD’.
When we ‘conform to the pattern of the world’, by default we
are excluding God from our lives. Why? Because the ways
of the world are in opposition to God’s ways. The pattern of
the world leans toward sinfulness, but God’s ways lean toward
righteousness. His ways are not as natural to us, as the ways
of the world. We were born with sinful desires, so if we expect
to please God, then something needs to change.
When we live in a worldly manner, we are yielding to our
natural desires. instead of allowing God to give us directions.
It becomes a matter of selfishness versus submissiveness. We
want what we want, and we aren’t willing to allow God to have
any influence on our lives.
So, how can we change our pattern of thinking? According to
Paul, in addition to avoiding the influences of the world, our
next responsibility in discovering God’s will for us is to,
‘be transformed by the renewing of our mind’.
‘Conforming’ is,
being changed by ‘outside’ influences,
but ‘transforming’ is,
being changed from ‘inside’ influences
(which of course, is our mind).
Webster defines ‘transform’ as
‘changing completely and usually in a good way’.
Webster also includes,
‘to change the outward form or appearance of a person’
and
‘to change the character or condition of a person’.
The key word used by Webster is ‘change’. If nothing changes,
then we are not following Paul’s advice to be ‘transformed’.
For us to be transformed, we have to replace our ‘natural desires’
with something different, which is of course, ‘God’s desires’.
Webster includes the word ‘completely’. When we become
transformed, we are a totally new person. If we continue
holding on to previous ‘natural’ desires, then we have only
been partially changed.
Straddling the fence is not indicative of a person who has
been completely changed. Not only that, but a partially
changed person will become restless, as they grapple with
which desire will ‘win out’ in each circumstance.
Now we can see why Paul said our minds have to be renewed.
We have to learn to think differently, but how can we do that?
Controlling what goes into our minds is where we should start.
When we read and study the Bible, pray, and worship God for
His blessings in our lives, we invite God’s will to find a home
in our minds.
The more we include Him in our thoughts (and our subsequent actions),
the more we will be able to find ‘His good, pleasing and perfect will’ for
our lives. As our lives become more pleasing to God, we will be more
pleased with ourselves as well. Why? Because we are no longer have to
struggle with which choices to make, based on the circumstances.
We no longer have to choose between pleasing man, and pleasing God.
When we discover our new contentment, we can readily give our stamp
of approval that, ‘transforming’ and ‘renewing our mind’ are excellent
choices for finding God’s will for our lives!
ACTION:
Time for a self-assessment:
Have you ‘completed’ your transformation and the renewing of your
mind? Do any worldly influences still have an impact on the things
you say and do? To what degree does the world influence your thoughts?
Is there anything in your life that still needs to be transformed? Have you
discovered the spiritual gift God has given to you specifically, and are you
using it according to His purpose (even if it means getting out of your comfort
zone)? There are no adequate excuses for not allowing the Lord to use us as
part of His ministry, especially when we consider the magnitude of the His
gift of salvation, and the ‘tools’ He has given to assist us (namely, the Holy
Spirit and at least one Spiritual Gift).
Pray,
“Heavenly Father, make me aware of any worldly things that are
still occupying my thoughts, and affecting the things I say and do.
If I have not been completely transformed, convict me of the areas
that I need to surrender to Your will. I want to discover Your will
for my life, and I understand from Paul’s instructions that I have
some responsibilities to fulfill in order to know what You want of
me. I also know that when I allow Your Will to control my life, I
will be more pleasing to You and happier with myself. Teach me
and guide me so the Holy Spirit will feel comfortable living in me,
and I can experience a new, genuine peace and happiness in my life.”
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