Renewing Your Mind

Recently I read a book entitled “The Soul Winner” by Spurgeon. It was written in the 1800’s and I was struck by how little things have changed in over 150 plus years; spiritually speaking anyway. To me it was a very encouraging and insightful book and I highly recommend it.

There is a line in the book that really has me thinking this morning. Spurgeon says; "I believe that one reason why the Church of God at this present moment has so little influence over the world is because the world has so much influence over the Church."

That is our challenge of the times (just as it was Spurgeon’s). We are to reach out to dark places, we are to be in the world, yet we must in the most humble and loving of ways ensure that we somehow, someway remain set apart (holy). We must be able to relate and communicate with those in need, but we must always be on guard. Temptation and worldly influence abound.

Spurgeon encourages by saying, "At Jesus' feet we must learn the art and mystery of soul-winning: to live with Christ is the best education for usefulness." We must always remain at Jesus’ feet, always learning, always growing; always remembering his sacrifice for us, putting on the full armor of God as we strive to show others “the way”. To do this we must learn to never just conform to enticing worldly ways. I am reminded of Romans 12:1-3;

1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual[a] act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.

We must go out into the world, but we must resist the desire to conform and truly work to renew our minds each and every day at Jesus’ feet. My prayer for each of us is that we be transformed by the renewing or our minds. Transformed; isn’t that just the icing on the cake!

Grace and Peace