A New You!

Romans 12:2.

Note one of the evidences and results of our consecration is that we will have a different worldview…

1. A New Perspective. Do not be conformed to this world.

The Christian sees things differently.

1. He is living in this world. We cannot do otherwise.  We cannot practice the monasticism of the past.  We must live in this world, and work in this world and raise our children in this world.  We must also witness for Christ in this world.   
2. He does not belong to this world! We are to be salt and light in the world.   Matthew 5:13-16    Salt to preserve it and light to disperse its darkness.
3. He views this world from a different angle. What the world loves does not captivate him as it does those who are worldlings.  The Christian will come to hate the things that this world treasures.  Will hate its morality and its standards.  Will grieve over the babies that are aborted and the lives that are lost.  Over pensioners robbed and women violated.  Over men whose lives are forfeited by greedy governing powers and ruthless political movements.  Over all the lies and duplicity of the ruling classes and the political lackeys who crave for power over us.

So what is the answer?  Perhaps we need strong, closely bonded Christian communities, who love and serve the Lord and believe His Word, who will learn and grow together and work to influence the world to return to civilised values.

2. A New Thought Process. but be transformed by the renewal of your mind…

Why is the Christian’s MIND so important? Prov 23:7 For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. “Eat and drink!” he says to you, But his heart is not with you.  Every sin committed in the flesh begins in the mind! The Christian must discipline the mind to think differently. It’s a whole new way of thinking!

1. What prevents renewal of the mind? I’m thinking specifically of some of the mind-traps that the devil uses to lure us into sin today…
   1. Worldliness, conforming to the philosophies and ideas of this world, whether as individuals or as groups of Christians. The morality of the world, seeping into the church…
   2. Porn, – one of the greatest curses of the modern age is the amount of easy access hard pornography to be found on the internet.  And Porn is more than just filthy pictures.
   3. TV. Our living rooms are being continually filled with worldly ideas, evil being portrayed as as good and commonplace, and normal.
   4. Smartphones… Now there’s one of the greatest dangers ever…
2. What encourages renewal of the mind? READ Phil 4:8-9. Finally, brethren…
   1. whatsoever things are true, Who said, “I AM THE TRUTH?” – Jesus! For God is the only source of truth – in a world where truth is flexible and adjustable – to know that there is a point of absolute truth focuses the mind greatly!
   2. whatsoever things are honest, ‘let God be true and every man a liar! Honesty, true honesty is only found in Jesus!
   3. whatsoever things are just, – And who alone in just? God who exercises perfect justice, and whose justice will ultimately prevail.
   4. whatsoever things are pure, – holy! Holiness is one of the primary attributes of God.  God alone is intrinsically holy, – we only find our holiness in Christ.
   5. whatsoever things are lovely, – are we – sinners, ever to be considered as lovely?  How can we be?  No matter how attractive we may be or how well mannered or well bred, or well-dressed – there is none that is lovely when compared with Christ.  Song of Solomon 5:
   6. whatsoever things are of good report. Now who might this be about?  Who is it that is beyond reproach, completely without sin?
   7. if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Paul is pointing us to Jesus! He is telling us that Jesus is to be first and foremost in our minds, even in an age of distractions like this, when our minds are bombarded with information, good and bad.
   8. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: Paul was a gospel preacher – his ministry was to continually placard Christ crucified for sinners. 1 Corinthians 2:2  They had learned this from him.
   9. and the God of peace shall be with you.

Paul urges us to contemplate the Gospel. Our new thought process is to meditate daily on the Gospel!  To consider our own sinfulness, and the greatness and grace of God in giving his own son for us so that we can be forgiven!  We must CONSIDER CHRIST!  It is through this application of the gospel to our minds that we will encourage our thoughts in another direction – away from the world and toward a renewed mind.

3. A New Ambition. that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

The ambition of the world is to be successful, to be comfortable to be wealthy, to have a home and a family and a car and perhaps some measure of acknowledgement and recognition from peers.  The Christian’s ambition is no different!  Except that we only want those things if they are what God wants for us.  We surrender to his will.  You see the Christian is a new man!  We are to put off the old man!   

So that’s the plan for a new you!  It’s not about external things, not about healthy living or designer clothing or a diet.  It begins on the inside, in the heart and mind, as we are renewed by our continual response to the Gospel facts, and by the work of the Holy Spirit in sanctification.

© Bob McEvoy May 2017