Day 3: Practicing Church
Daily Devotional
Romans 12:2
2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
The Apostle Paul gives us a sobering reminder that this world has a pattern or way of life. The only problem is the world doesn’t tell you it’s outside of God’s will for you and ultimately leads to an empty and broken life. This is why Paul is giving a clear command for believers not to conform any longer, but rather be transformed by the renewing of our minds. However, there is a dilemma we all face each day. Conformity is easy to do because it requires very little thinking or effort. All you need to do is look around you and go with the flow of what everyone else is doing. On the other hand, transformation is difficult as it requires change, intentionality and sacrifice because this isn’t a one time change God is calling for, but a total and complete transformation of the way we live or pattern our lives. Paul states this kind of transformation can only take place when we renew our minds. Once our minds have been renewed Paul says the result will show when we are able to test and approve what God’s will is. So the question becomes how can we know what God’s will is? Praise God He doesn’t leave us to guess and figure it out on our own, but gives us His Word that instructs and teaches us how we can live in His good, pleasing, and perfect will. This means we need to make a daily pattern of meditating and living out the Word of God everyday. As we practice patterning our lives after the Word of God, only then can we experience the abundant life God desires for you to have.
Weekly Application
As followers of Christ, it’s important not just to hear and know the Word of God, but to put it into practice in our daily lives. Start your day by asking the Holy Spirit to guide and direct you each day. As you set your mind on the things that the Holy Spirit wants, He will show you opportunities to put your faith into action. Live out your faith with at least one person each day this week by serving them and loving them as the Holy Spirit leads. You may be led to offer a listening ear to someone who is going through a tough season, to give a portion of your time or resources to someone in need, or to reach out and forgive someone who has wronged you. Have high expectations of what God can do, and ask Him to guide you each step of the way.