Romans 12:2 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.

Paul recently talked about being conformed into the image of Christ. The new birth John spoke about is not referenced here but is very much a part of this conversation. New birth, a fresh start, our past is behind us, and our sins forgiven. The problem is that we begin this journey of discovery in Christ with an old mind. We have all the memories, attitudes, emotions and it is difficult to grasp the concept of all things new with this old mind.

Our memories and emotions are real but we can and must change our attitudes. We need to stop being victims of our past and become the victorious warriors Paul will call us to be shortly. Our memories and emotions can be used to glorify God if we can find our way to change our attitude.

“I was once like you but now I am changed by the grace of God.”

“I too suffered at the hands of others.”

These statements are meant to give hope to those who have not yet found it. We identify with the position of others by memory and emotion but we can only help them find the way out with a changed attitude.

Romans 12:3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Paul is talking about a change in attitude. For some it is going to be to not think more highly of yourself. For others it is going to be to not think of yourself as more lowly than you ought. You cannot help a victim out of the gutter of despair with a victim’s mentality. You have to change your attitude.

Thinking soberly is seeing the truth in these matters and can only be done by faith in He who is true. We cannot come to that knowledge with our old attitudes. It takes a new mindset, a new attitude.

Romans 11:33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!

From the moment I surrendered to God’s rule, Christ’s Lordship, I have immersed myself into His Word. Because my early years were not formed in knowing Him and His ways, I had much to learn. He took my dedication to study and changed me in ways I cannot express but give Him all praise in doing so.

I do it daily and have done so faithfully with a few minor exceptions due to serious health issues accompanied by hospitalization. I learned painfully that knowledge puffs up. I often found myself being chastised by God for my attitude.

The most difficult of all lessons learned was what to do and how to act when God went silent. I know that God does all things with purpose. I don’t always know exactly what those purposes are when He goes silent. Being who I am, it was time for a close examination of my heart condition, mental attitude, treatment of others and then finally settling in on my understanding of His Word.

1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.

Sometimes I get presumptuous. Not always, but yes, I sometimes act like a know it all. Rather than listening carefully, I assume meaning without the Holy Spirit’s revelation. The hardest lesson for me has been in being right at the wrong time. God’s will does not rest upon me alone. I have fellowship. When and how to apply that which is revealed in me lacks the element of God’s perfect timing.

Sometimes His silence is nothing more than the example for me to keep my mouth shut. It is difficult for me to accept that because the echoes of my earthly father’s voice are heard there. “Shut up!”