TRANSFORMATION

I think I should just quit saying at the end of blogs that I will write more tomorrow or some such empty promise. I know myself better than that! Anyway on to the serious stuff...

I think we all know what it means to be conformed to the world. That word implies that we take on the same shape and attitudes as the prevailing culture. Paul says in Romans 12 to not do that. So what do we do?? Isn't it amazing that if we just kept reading we would find the answer. The answer lies in one word -- transformation. I'll give you the dictionary.com definition just to be a geek.

transform-to change in nature, disposition, heart, character.

If we are in Christ we have already become new creatures. Romans 12:2 speaks of being transformed by the renewing of your mind. When we become Christians our old ways of thinking don't automatically go away. We are still often easily entangled by our sinful natures and bad habits (see Hebrews 12). Not being conformed and yet transformed, which I take to mean growing in holiness, requires more than just doing the opposite of your unbelieving neighbor. This is what Sproul is getting at in his book and what I believe his son and others at the Highland Study Center are striving to live out. We are to obey our Lord and live our lives in a way that goes beyond a list of dos and don'ts. It should look different and almost other worldly if I may say so. We are citizens of a different kingdom after all. The way we live should be infused with such a beautiful fragrance that people don't know where it's coming from. We shouldn't be taking the world's forms and then putting a Christian spin on it. That's not worthy of our great God. Our forms should reflect His beauty and holiness and grace and joy. This is what's going to set us apart. And this is why the apostle so wisely tells us to renew our minds. So that we can approve what the will of God is, His perfect and acceptable will.

How does this play our in real life? Well, I'll tell you one way I'm dealing with today and will be dealing with until I'm free from this body of death. Food. I said it. I love food. I love sugar. I love cookies and ice cream. And starch. Oh I love bread. I could go on but I don't want to bore y'all. Now if I had enough brains to be able to scan a picture of myself onto my blog you wouldn't guess that I had a problem with food. I'm an average height and weight. I've never been overweight in my life (not counting post pregnancy). But I have a problem with food. It has a grip on me. I eat for many other reasons besides hunger. I recently seriously admitted to God my problem and repented. I still have to go on repenting though. It's hard. I'm also realizing that I can't eat the way I used to now that I'm in my 30s. I'm not able to burn it off as quickly. But more importantly is this heart attitude that the Lord has graciously revealed to me. He wants me to be free of it. Holiness is His desire for me. "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:12 Here are the lyrics to a song by Wayne Watson that fit the topic today. If you don't know old Wayne Watson, it's really good. Pick up Watercolor Ponies, The Fine Line or Giants in the Land. Some of the instrumentals, heck all of them, are very 80s but the lyrics are good.

Consume me, resume the rule of me
I've made a fool of me for so long
Rebuild me, ablaze with holy fire
Be my one desire, be my song.

Sailing this unrighteous sea
All my hope is in You
Bright morning star, High King of Heaven

Holiness, holiness
O how my heart beats for Thee
Holiness, holiness
I want a heart that's promised to be
Consigned to purity.

Control me, console me when I fall
Lord after all I am but dust.
Retrieve me, receive these wandering hands
That I may stand before You just.

Lord be my vision and my light
To illumine my way
Strength to the weak, help of the helpless.

Holiness, holiness
O how my heart beats for Thee.
Holiness, holiness
I want a heart that's promised to be
Consigned to purity.

Blessings