By Robin Wiley
Romans 12:2
“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. “
I am currently reading an online devotional by Max Lucado called: “Romans, In the Grip of Grace.” It is a great study to walk in the footsteps of Jesus by loving others more freely. When we let God work through us and fill us with His love – it overflows to every person we encounter.
This week’s study is focused on Romans chapter 12 and 13, and it is packed with God’s truth for our lives. Lucado gives the analogy of playing the game: “Two Truths and Lie.” I play this game with our kiddos at times as an icebreaker, especially in the beginning of when we meet as a group. We get the new 7th graders, and they usually don’t know anyone else in youth, so this game gives us an opportunity to share fun and random information because the truth always reveals parts of a person’s story. The audience has to guess which of the three statements is a lie and sometimes they get pretty silly or outrageous which makes for fun entertainment. Ultimately, the goal is to seek the truth.
The same with these two chapters in Romans (12-13) where God’s truth is revealed through Paul’s words on what is true for us. Lucado summarizes the chapters well:
· Your life is a sacrifice pleasing to God.
· When you surrender to God, it is an act of worship.
· Your mind is being renewed by God.
· You can know and follow the will of the living God.
· You have been given grace.
· You are called to humility and to think with sober judgment.
· You belong to God’s family, his Church.
· You are gifted by God.[1]
I think one of the hardest parts of being a Christian is to not be conformed to the patterns of the world as Paul mentions in v2. He is addressing the ‘present evil age’ (Gal 1:4) and for us – the present evil is our electronics (cell phone, computers, iPads, you name it). When we reach for our digital devices before we focus our minds or thoughts on Christ first thing in the morning, we are setting ourselves up to walk through the day without involving God in it.
Sometimes I do that. I use my iPad to read the devotional or specific weekly reading and if I am not careful, I will let a notification from Facebook distract me to see what someone posted. Or an email notification pops up and I get distracted with work or responding.
What can help us be transformed, as Paul put it, is to take to heart the eight points that Lucado summarized in Romans 12-13. Read them. Believe them. Practice them. Put them into action. God’s perfect and good will is to help us and not harm us. Let’s live for Him that way this week!
Prayer:
Father God – thank you for your truth in the pages of your Word. Let my life be pleasing to you this week in all that I say or do. May my actions produce good fruit for your kingdom. Teach me to be more humble and to not judge others because we are all part of your loving family. Shower me with your grace. I pray all this in the name of Jesus – Amen.
[1] Max Lucado, “Romans: In the Grip of Grace”, Session Five, Faithgateway, https://www.studygateway.com/online-bible-studies/romans-in-the-grip-of-grace-study-home/?utm_source=fgobs&utm_medium=email&utm_
campaign=fgobs_rmobs20210719&utm_term=fgobs&utm_content=week5