Our theme for this month: “Life on this side of the cross”
Our Bible verse for today: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:2 (CSB)
Our thought for today: “Take advantage of the time.”
In Romans 12:2 the Apostle Paul highlights a key difference between life in the Old Testament and life on this side of the cross in the age of the New Testament and of the Holy Spirit. In the Old Testament, the practice of the faith for the people of God consisted, in large part, of memorizing and obeying a long list of rules and regulations. In the New Testament, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the practice of the faith involves a careful and consistent process of nurture and growth that leads us to become increasingly sensitive and responsive to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. This is the process Paul referred to in Romans 12:2 which results in a transformation of mind and heart. That then enables us to become discerning individuals who understand the will of God and who live accordingly.
Paul was writing about spiritual maturity. It’s a process of growth that leads to increasing spiritual awareness and understanding. But it’s not magic. It doesn’t happen automatically. The implication of Paul’s teaching in Romans 12:2 is that you have to consistently take actions to place yourself in a position before God everyday whereby the Holy Spirit can work in your mind and heart to transform you into that spiritually mature person. It is a process, and it does take time, and you do have to work at it.
During this time of the coronavirus pandemic most of us have a lot of extra time on our hands. Some people are older or sick and are therefore staying almost entirely in the house. Others are unemployed right now. And even if you do go to work every day, you are still no longer able to participate in many of your other social and leisure activities, and therefore you too have extra time on your hands. How are you using that time? What an excellent opportunity this is to enhance and nurture your relationship with the Lord by spending lots of extra time in prayer, meditation, Bible study, memorizing scripture, reading good Christian books, watching Christian movies, writing in your journal, and spiritual activities like that.
This time of isolation can actually be a gift that ends up resulting in great spiritual growth for you. You can come out of this different, more mature, on a new level in your relationship with the Lord. I encourage you to redeem this time. Use it for a good purpose. As Paul wrote, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Oak Hill Baptist Church