Romans 12:1-2 states, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” The word “transformed” is the idea of metamorphosed; it is the idea of change. We may remodel or change our physical house. If we relate what is necessary to remodel our physical house and apply that to our spiritual will see some similarities. Let us look to see about remodeling our life.
First, there is a time of research. The Bible says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). There is a right way to do something and also there is a wrong way! In most cities there are codes that must one is obligated to meet. Some folks try to side step some of these steps; some may not do all that the law requires. When the law is not followed it might be for several reason, most of them are not good. There is a half way to do something and there is the right way to do something. How do we do the job correctly? Find out what the laws are! The same is true of our spiritual life! How does God want us to live? Research how God wants us to life! “These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Second, there is the time of ripping out. One must take out the old stuff before he can rebuild. The walls, floors, and the ceiling may have to come out before the new can be put into place. The same is true in our spiritual life. Notice what God told Jeremiah, “See, I have this day set thee over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). There is the time for change in our spiritual life. There are some things we must “put off” (Ephesians 4:22) before we can “put on” (Ephesians 4:24). There are some things we are to “lay aside” before we begin (Hebrews 12:1-2). Also there are some things we are to “put off” (Colossians 3:8-10). Let us strive to subtract these things in our life so that we can do the final thing.
Third, there is the time of rebuilding. We need to rebuild with patience. How many times have we gotten into a hurry with a job and it did not go right? We may have had to rip out and start all over again; costing us time and money. If we would be patience the first time we could have done the job correctly. Notice, Hebrews 12:1 “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doeth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Also there is a plan. To stay with the plan makes the job so much easier, faster and more cost efficient. Hebrews 12:2 states, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus wrote the plan that we are to follow and we must stick with the plan! We can not add to nor can we subtract anything from God’s plan. Let us rebuild our lives according to what God wants us to be!
If we begin with a sure foundation (2 Timothy 2:19) our building will stand the test of time, no matter what the storms of life are. Let us build upon that foundation the house that will be well pleasing to God.
Love, Keith
