Page 48 - Finding Identity

Paul put it this way: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ,

he is a new creation; old things have passed away;
behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians

5:17). But while our heart is changed

instantaneously, changing our lifestyle is a process
we call sanctification.

Wow, how are we going to do all that? How are we
going to be that good? The answer is, we need to

be transformed. Thankfully the Bible tells us how
to do that. Romans contains a very clear verse
about the “how” of transformation.

Romans 12:2 “…Do 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.”

A major key to experiencing transformation is that
we must renew our minds. Unfortunately, the
English phrase “renewing of your mind” is not very
helpful. It does not communicate the meaning of
the Greek text, which tells us to bring our minds up

to a new quality. We do that by what we allow
ourselves to think, because what we allow
ourselves to think, and the thoughts we allow

pg. 47