Think like Jesus thinks.

Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. In verse two of chapter 12, Paul added to his call for application in light of God’s abundant mercies. He had urged them to present their bodies to the Holy Spirit for His use so that they might offer a living, holy sacrifice which is acceptable to God. We were encouraged that living to love with Jesus is what makes our love acceptable to God. Then Paul urged them further to bring about transformation by renewing their minds according to God’s mercies rather than being conformed to this world. Paul said that the renewing of their minds by the mercies of God, may prove what God’s will is, namely that they offer themselves as a living, holy sacrifice. Such an offering of love is good, acceptable, and perfect because it expresses the mind of the Holy Spirit. This is our encouragement today. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, and we know that loving with Jesus is God’s will. Jesus commanded His disciples to obey a new commandment to love one another as He had loved them. Furthermore, we are encouraged that God accepts such a living offering because it is good and perfect. It comes from and through His Son just as Paul exclaimed in the last verse of chapter 11. All things are from Him, through Him, and to Him so that all the glory may be His forever. If we are going to live to love with Jesus and prove the will of God, it is imperative that we think like Jesus thinks. If our thinking doesn’t change, nothing of significance will change in our lives. If we think like the world, which looks to self or the flesh as the source of love, there’s no way God will accept a worldly love. It’s not good, acceptable, and perfect. In chapter 7-8, Paul already told them that the flesh cannot please God. I have summarized the mind of Christ with three points in my book, Live to Love which you can see are confirmed in Romans. 1. There’s only one God from whom all things come, and He is love. (Can you imagine Jesus thinking otherwise?) 2. Jesus glorified His Father by being most satisfied in His love. 3. God’s purpose in all things is to glorify Himself by revealing Himself through His Son. That is God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will. By giving us the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of His Son, according to His great mercy, God has given us His mind. What must we do? Learn how Jesus thinks and renew our minds accordingly so we can live to love with Him, thus offering an acceptable, living sacrifice, for His glory. I urge you to memorize the 3 foundational truths and apply them to every situation and relationship so you can live to love with Jesus and offer an acceptable sacrifice. Acknowledgment: Music from “Carried by the Father” by Eric Terlizzi. www.ericterlizzi.com