Transformed
Romans 12:2 (NIV) Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
I am reading Dallas Willard's book "Renovation of the Heart" and I have found it quite interesting and uplifting. In Chapter 7, he talks about transforming the mind.
This is what he says:
But achieving this new vision of oneself - of who one would be - must not be presumed to be a mere snap of the fingers. It will require genuine openness to radical change in oneself, careful and creative instruction, and abundant supplies of divine grace. For most people all of this only comes to them after they "hit bottom" and discover the total hopelessness of being who they are. Most people cannot envision what they would be without the fears, angers, lusts, power ploys, and woundedness with which they have lived so long. They identify with their habit worn feelings.
When Jesus said to the man by the pool of Bethesda, waiting for the angel to stir the water, "Wilt thou be made whole?" he was not just passing the time of day (John 5:6,KJV). We are not told how old he was, but this man had been in his impotent condition for thirty-eight years! If made whole, he would have to deal with a "career change' of immense proportions. To all his relatives and acquaintances he would no longer be "the one whom we take to the pool every day to wait for the angel." He would now be. . .What? Who? How would he identify himself? How would he now relate to others and they to him? He might even have to get a job. Doing what?
But, really, this man's problem was nothing compared to an individual undergoing the transformation of his feelings (emotions, sensations, desires) from those he learned in the home, school, and playground as he grew up to those that characterize the inner being of Jesus Christ. He is now not to be one who will spend hours fantasizing sensual indulgence or revenge, or who will try to dominate or injure others in attitude, word or deed. He will not repay evil for evil - push for push, blow for blow, taunt for taunt, hatred for hatred, contempt for contempt. He will not be always on the hunt to satisfy his lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) . No wonder he has no real idea of who he will be: and he must content himself with the mere identity: "apprentice of Jesus." That is the starting point from which his new identity will emerge, and it is in fact powerful enough to bear the load.
Page 120 - Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Think about the transformation that is happening in each one of us and rejoice!
I am reading Dallas Willard's book "Renovation of the Heart" and I have found it quite interesting and uplifting. In Chapter 7, he talks about transforming the mind.
This is what he says:
But achieving this new vision of oneself - of who one would be - must not be presumed to be a mere snap of the fingers. It will require genuine openness to radical change in oneself, careful and creative instruction, and abundant supplies of divine grace. For most people all of this only comes to them after they "hit bottom" and discover the total hopelessness of being who they are. Most people cannot envision what they would be without the fears, angers, lusts, power ploys, and woundedness with which they have lived so long. They identify with their habit worn feelings.
When Jesus said to the man by the pool of Bethesda, waiting for the angel to stir the water, "Wilt thou be made whole?" he was not just passing the time of day (John 5:6,KJV). We are not told how old he was, but this man had been in his impotent condition for thirty-eight years! If made whole, he would have to deal with a "career change' of immense proportions. To all his relatives and acquaintances he would no longer be "the one whom we take to the pool every day to wait for the angel." He would now be. . .What? Who? How would he identify himself? How would he now relate to others and they to him? He might even have to get a job. Doing what?
But, really, this man's problem was nothing compared to an individual undergoing the transformation of his feelings (emotions, sensations, desires) from those he learned in the home, school, and playground as he grew up to those that characterize the inner being of Jesus Christ. He is now not to be one who will spend hours fantasizing sensual indulgence or revenge, or who will try to dominate or injure others in attitude, word or deed. He will not repay evil for evil - push for push, blow for blow, taunt for taunt, hatred for hatred, contempt for contempt. He will not be always on the hunt to satisfy his lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (1 John 2:16) . No wonder he has no real idea of who he will be: and he must content himself with the mere identity: "apprentice of Jesus." That is the starting point from which his new identity will emerge, and it is in fact powerful enough to bear the load.
Page 120 - Renovation of the Heart by Dallas Willard
2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV) And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV) But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Think about the transformation that is happening in each one of us and rejoice!
posted by Glen at 5:47 PM
1 Comments:
Great post Glenn.
We have eaten at Cracker Barrel at least 5 times!
Ron
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