“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.”
Romans 12:2
“That’s not true!” cried 15-year old Kyle, one of the campers I had been ministering to at Strasbourg Bible Camp many years ago. I had been speaking to the teens on the subject of apologetics, the rational defense of the Christian faith. Kyle was thoroughly unconvinced. A professing “scientifically-minded atheist,” Kyle challenged me on every point I was trying to make. We had many good discussions and by the end of the week, though he remained unconvinced, he went back home with much to think about. The next year when I returned to teach the counselors-in-training, I saw Kyle, now a Christian, eager to serve the Lord in camp ministry. When I asked him about his conversion, he explained that during our discussions he could feel me “re-writing his mind.” The phrase has stuck with me. It is the perfect description of what happens to a person as the word of God does its transformative work. The moment we believed we were made new creatures in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). With our conversion came a new perspective, a new understanding, a new purpose, and a new hope. Once we were alienated from God. We were His enemies in our minds by wicked works. Though we can say with the Patriarch Jacob that we are not worthy of the least of God’s mercies (Genesis 32:10), nevertheless the Lord has regarded our lowly state and has reconciled us to Himself by the blood of His cross (Colossians 1:20-21). In light of these stupendous things, Paul encourages us to take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5), not returning to old modes of thinking. The unregenerate, Paul reminds us, are those who walk “in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness” (Ephesians 4:17-19). “But ye,” wrote Paul, “have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus” (Ephesians 4:20-21). May we continue to search the Scriptures daily with believing hearts, seeking guidance on how to interpret our experiences and how to conduct ourselves in these perilous last days (2 Timothy 3:1). May we think, speak, and act as those whose minds God has “re-written.” May this be so for God’s glory and for the good of those He loves.
God bless you dear saints,
Pastor John
English