What Real Renewal Looks Like
(Read Romans 12)
There’s a nationally known Pastor I’ve been listening to and following for at least 15 years who has a quirky sense of humor and a thick Scottish accent. He also has two doctoral degrees in science, and I love when he combines theological topics with scientific theories in clear, simple terms I can understand. A recent conversation with my friend (L) made me think of a relevant example in the life of a Christian.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
“What about a personal relationship with Jesus?” I asked (L).
“By the time I was in middle school, I realized that Jesus Christ was my Savior,” (L) replied. She went on to explain what that meant to her. “I felt that if I believe and accept God, I’m good. That’s all.” I got a strong sense that even at that age, she didn’t believe we should get caught up in a bunch of regulations and requirements for being a Christian. Requiring extra things other than believing the truth of the Gospel to be saved has been described by some as, “Jesus and…”. Meaning, you need to believe in Jesus and do something else to be saved. “I thought, Jesus should be enough.” She continued, “I didn’t know much about Christian denominations and it wasn’t until I was in college when I learned more about them. I discovered that we sometimes get too wrapped up in the differences in our beliefs rather than what is shared.”
(L) grew up in church and was guided by her parents and family to the ways of the Lord. “I wish I had learned Scripture more deeply as a youth,” she told me. (L) is such a humble person. She might not be able to recite Scripture out of the blue, but she certainly has a keen grip on its meaning. “I was Baptized as an infant and Confirmed while a young teen. Not only my family, but the congregation was also charged with bringing me up as a Christian.”
Take words with you
and return to the Lord.
Say to him:
“Forgive all our sins
and receive us graciously,
that we may offer the fruit of our lips.
Hosea 14:2
Returning to the Lord requires a massive change. A change of desire, a change of expectation, a change of heart. The prophet Hosea was urging Israel to renounce her sins to come back to God — on His terms not on their own. We must come back humbly to God with a repentant heart and with words of praise on our lips. God doesn’t want superficial offerings, He wants the fruit of our good works along with our changed hearts. God wants a metamorphosis.
“When my Mom passed away, it was a sudden devastation.” They were very close and her Mom nurtured a critical part of (L)’s character and faith. “I never got to say goodbye,” (L) told me. “I was angry at first. It took quite a while and I learned a lot about myself, about my faith, and about God. Eventually, I accepted it.”
I could hear the pain in her story. My wife also suffered the devastating loss of her mother six weeks after our first child was born. There is a lot of anger and emptiness in these times and somehow something good grows out of them. The Holy Spirit uses these times to change us. Through this anguish, He brings us closer to him. He moves us further along in the change process.
(L) said, “If I wasn’t a believer, I wouldn’t have had anything to lean on. When she died, it forced me to rely on God. He became more real to me and closer to me,” she added. “During this period, I searched for God and experienced him in a different, more personal way.”
During the time of her Mom’s passing, she lived with her husband who was stationed out of state. She told me of this incredibly strong pull to go home. “It was like Jesus was telling me to come home. After we got home we went to church, and that day there was a baby being Baptized. It was a sign I had been looking for.” (L) saw this pivotal moment as a communication from her Mom saying that she was alright, that she had returned to the Lord. “Love never dies,” she said.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 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 12:1-2
In this chapter of Paul’s letter to the Romans, he’s reminding us that we are filled with God’s spirit so that we can change from the inside out. Consider a butterfly. A butterfly and a caterpillar are not just modified versions of each other. Neither the butterfly, nor the caterpillar conform to the world. It goes from caterpillar to cocoon to butterfly. They are distinctly different things.
A renewed self transforms consciousness to see God and His works in ways that weren’t seen before — as if they had never existed. Real understanding creates true living. As believers, we should never be satisfied with a shallow grasp of spiritual consciousness. We need to allow a metamorphosis to change our whole spiritual belief system.
(L) summed up her take on that season in her life. “I recognized that I was so blessed to have her as a mother even though God took her back.” Like a butterfly with fresh wings, (L) told explained that she, “Felt God telling me it was time to get going. Time to move ahead. Even though I was closer to God through all this, I would struggle again. That’s how it works.” It’s a cycle.
J.B. Phillips New Testament version of Romans 12:2 says,
Don’t let the world around you squeeze you into its own mould.
In our small group gathering recently, (L) brought up the topic of Heaven. “When I was thinking about heaven,” she said, “I thought that I can’t wait to see Mom first. But immediately I felt God talking to me telling me, ‘No you want to see ME first.'”
That’s an accurate revelation, I thought. It’s not a control thing from God, it’s that He’s shifting our focus towards Him. God is renewing our minds, changing the way we process things, so that our fuller lives honor God more completely.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
2 Corinthians 5:17
“I sometimes wonder, what is my calling? Where does God want me to be?” Like most of us, (L) isn’t 100% sure of what her mission here on earth is. “I like where I’m at with serving at church and my job, but I know I can do more.” (L) has an absolutely beautiful voice. While she admits to some fatigue from singing in the choir week after week, I know she receives a lot of joy from it. She is one of those people who just get you. I’ve led our small group meetings a handful of times and I love it when she and her husband are present. We can get pretty boisterous, not (L) though. She waits until the right time and throws out a gem of truth for us to chew on. I think her insight comes from listening to God’s word, knowing God’s word, and living God’s word.
“Sometimes I feel like I’m in a laboratory. I feel like I’m always being tested. Like when we found out our daughter was diabetic, that was a big test. Sometimes I pass the test, and sometimes I fail.” How she lives her life gently tells everyone that God loves us and that He is with us. “We need to be sensitive to people’s needs, always being supportive. I try to encourage people, develop relationships first. I’m also a good listener, so I’ll usually ask how can I pray for you?”
(L) without hesitation, replied Romans 12:1-2 when asked what passage of Scripture resonates most with her. I didn’t know her when she was younger, but I can’t imagine a version that didn’t include a renewed mind that wasn’t walking hand-in-hand with Jesus Christ. The Greek word Paul used in Romans for “transformed” is metamorphoo. It’s where we get the word metamorphosis, like the wholesale change that goes from caterpillar, to cocoon, to butterfly.
“There is hope for all of us because God is always going after the one lost sheep. Until I was older, I didn’t realize how blessed I was. I had a great family, and now I’m even closer with my Dad.” (L) is an honest and open, glass-completely-full soul even with the testing that life throws her way. She worships, strengthens, praises, and loves with a renewed mind. “This life isn’t the end.” The transformation is ongoing and will not be completed here on earth. “I believe in His promises,” she concluded.
Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty
Who was and is and is to come
With all creation I sing praise to the King of kings
You are my everything and I will adore You
I will adore You
Revelation Song — Kari Jobe
Key Applications:
- Read Romans 12. Do you see yourself reflected in this chapter? Are you in the caterpillar, cocoon, or butterfly stage of your faith? No matter where you are, keep working to renew your mind so you can be transformed.
- If we live long enough, we will all have a chance to lift and strengthen someone else. While some are better at this than others, it’s not easy for anyone. Let the Christ within you be the light that can help, brighten, and even save someone.
- Pray for those in your life who need love and comfort. Sometimes saying nothing is best and always praying is best.
Where else in your life can you live out the teachings of Christ? Look for next week’s Devotion.