Transformed or Conformed?

Transformed or Conformed?

Copyright Millie Plastaras 7/9/2004
all rights reserved.

There are certain basic traits, that are the mark of
a Christian. It should be defining in our pursuit of Godliness.
Jesus spoke of these, and taught practical ways we can use
to implement these concepts in our hearts, minds, actions
and spirit.

I hope that as you read this
devotion, you will sit down and pray
and ask God to open up your heart, to what He has
to show you through this. He will speak to each of us
differently, because we all have different needs,
and need different inner healing, and different gifts. Let Him
lead and guide you into all truth. And allow Him to transform
your thinking and life, by doing as He speaks to your heart
to do.

When Jesus spoke the sermon on the mount, he taught
some very simple lessons in character and Godliness in
Matthew 5. They are so rich in content, that it
is almost more than we can take in, in just one lesson.
And I believe a lifetime to grow and become a
example of one broken and surrendered and right before God.
God has to reveal to our hearts, how this applies to us.

Some of the attributes Jesus taught on were:

1. Humility (Matthew 5:3)

2. Willingness to suffer persecution (Matthew 5:10)

3. Earnest attention to God's commandments (Matthew 5:19)

4. Refusal to substitute false piety for genuinely right behavior (Matthew5:20)

5. A life of prayer ( Matthew 6:10)

6. Prioritizing spiritual over material values
(Matthew 6:33)

7. Acknowledging Christ's Lordship by obeying the
revealed will of God. (Matthew 7:21)

Jesus had a very simple message. That we must recognize
we are sinners, and that He had come to forgive those sins.

He wants us to repent of those sins, and turn from
a life sin to a life of righteousness. No message
is more important to you in your lifetime, than you
must be born again. By repenting of your sins,
confessing them, and asking Jesus to be Lord and Savior
of your life. Your soul hangs in the balance of this decision.

We should renewing our mind
daily In Him, first by receiving Him as our Savior, and allowing
Him to transform our thinking. My big question for you
tonight, and you don't have to tell me.. Talk to God about it..
What transforming are you allowing God to do in your life?

There is no middle of the road here. You are either transformed by new thinking in Christ,
followed by actions and deeds
that show that Christ lives in you. It is called spiritual fruit,
growth, personal sanctification, being right before God.

Or, you are conformed to the world and its ways, and live
according to it's standards.. and you are not surrendering
your heart mind or life to Him.

These things are not hidden to God. He knows the truth.
We however, must be the ones to admit it!

It is one or the other. So tonight, I ask you.
Who is in charge? And how is that working for you?

You are the light of the world, a city that is set on a hill
cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put
it under a basket, but on a lampstand and it gives light to
all who are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16

I beseech you therefore brethren, by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a LIVING sacrifice, holy,
acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
And do not be CONFORMED TO THIS WORLD, but be TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND, that you
may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect
will of God.

Romans 12:1,2

My friends, none of us is perfect. None of us has arrived
to a perfect spiritual point. But we should strive daily,
by reading the word, and learning what Jesus taught,
that we might live lives that are pleasing to Him,
transformed into righteous thinking.

So one step at a time, we surrender those parts of us
that wanted to stay in the world. Whether it is smoking,
drinking, hanging out with folks that lead you down
the wrong path. Whether it is money, or power, pornography,
sexual addiction, adultery, fornication,
or selfishness, or greed, or gluttony or any other sin.
One by one, we peel our fingers off these sins and
confess them, and ask the Lord to help us change.

We never need to be afraid. He said He would accept
us just as we are. And would help us change by
the renewing of our minds. By the cleansing of our
sins by His Holy Blood. By the Word of God which
lives within us and when spoken goes forth and
accomplishes Gods will. And by fellowship with Him,
through consistent prayer lives that know He is our
first source... no one, or nothing else.. should be before Him.

Can you take that challenge tonight my friend?
Eternity hangs in the balance. He said we are either
for Him or against Him. We are either His children, or we
are not. WE do not merit His love, or have the ability to
earn it. But we do have access to it, when we seek
His salvation and will in our lives.

That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus,
and shall believe in your heart that God has raised Him from
the dead.. you shall be saved.
Romans 10:9

For by grace are you saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves! It is the gift of God! Not of works lest any
man should boast.
Ephesians 2:8,9

Make sure before this day ends you have
made a decision for Jesus Christ. Then daily
seek Him through prayer, and His word and
allow Him to transform your life and mind
into a thing of beauty and faithfulness to His
precious calling upon your life.

Always remember
Only one life, will soon be past
Only what is done for Christ will last