"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
I remember as a child I had a library card and I felt so important. As a kid, it was probably the only “official” document I owned and carried with me at all times. I knew I had to safeguard it, and I took that responsibility very seriously, because it granted me full access to the library. It felt like a special club- filled with resources galore… and it was available to me! It was available only because I held a current, valid library card. Eventually though, the card would expire and it was my responsibility to renew it. As a kid, that responsibility made me feel important.
Then as a teen, it was time to drive! Again, I had to earn my drivers license, and when it expired, I needed to renew it. No one did this for me… it didn’t happen automatically… it was up to me to take the necessary action to renew it, and continue to renew it regularly and continuously up to this day!
What does it mean to renew your library card, or driver’s license, or membership… it means to take the necessary steps to make new, whole, and complete. Lacking nothing. Taking action to restore full rights and access… back to normal.
Romans 12:2 says to be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Renewing our minds requires taking action too. The only difference is that we don’t renew our minds every year, or every four years… (well, maybe some of us do, which may be why we aren’t being transformed). We must renew our minds every single day. We must take action, we must “do” something every single day in order to renew our minds.
How do we do that? Feed your mind good things. What we read, listen to, and watch is vital. Stay rooted in God’s Word and seek God’s face in prayer daily. Philippians 4:8 (KJV) says “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Stay away from ungodly people (except to share the Gospel) and influences. Turn the TV off! Be careful what you read and listen to. Confess what you believe and know is true about God out loud, and don’t rely on your feelings. You can’t feel your way into action, but you can act your way into a feeling.
We must take action every single day to renew our minds, to make and keep them new, whole, and complete in Christ Jesus. Then we will be transformed!