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A Transformed Life

and do not be conformed to this world rather be transformed, the renewing of mind, to the extent you prove the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2)

He mentions renewal again in Ephesians 4:23, "now be renewed, of spirit, of your mind." This renewal of the mind Paul calls transformation. Transformation is key to a victorious life in Christ.

for the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh, for these are opposed to one another so that you do no do that you will (Galatians 5:17)

This is the wretched state of a believer that Paul talks about in Romans 7. He stuck between delighting in God in his inner being and doing the things he hates, not having the power to overcome. This is because he has a carnal mind, it is not renewed of the Spirit. Paul writes no good thing dwells in the body, the flesh, and evil is near. Evil uses this weakness to bring believers unto captivity to sin. 

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more? (Galatians 4:9)

We are saved by grace and will rule over sin under grace as we grow in grace and in knowledge of Jesus Christ. Paul writes, all things are lawful, but not all are beneficial and some will bring us into captivity (1 Corinthians 6:12). Captivity to the flesh is not a good thing, but we can be slaves to other things like works justification (Galatians 4:9) and fear (Romans 8:15-17).

because all the ones born of God conquers the world and this is the victory that conquers the world; that our faith. Who is it that conquers the world if not the one believing that Jesus exists the son of God? (1 John 5:4-5)

Who is victorious? the ones born of God. We need to factor in being adopted of the Spirit into our victory along with faith. How does one enter the kingdom of God? one must be born a new of the Spirit to enter. Paul calls this being made alive, because we were dead. What was dead? our spirit, was dead. But now made alive and raised and seated in the heavenlies in Christ, by grace you are saved! (Ephesians 2: 3-5). Knowing our salvation is of spirit, soul, and body helps us understand scriptures that relate to the salvation of each, especially our soul which we differentiate from our spirit.

I am writing to you children because your sins are forgiven... because you know the Father (1 John 2:12-14)

What does a child born of God have? Testimony of the Spirit and of blood. There are three that testify. Is a child obedient? Of course not, he must become mature. A child is still an heir though he is under a tutor until the appointed time by the Father. A child needs to be rooted, founded, and built up into him, in faith and love (Ephesians 3: 16-20; Colossians 2:7). A young person, John writes, is strong and overcomes because the word of God abides in him. First we must be a child, we must be born into the kingdom. Then we must grow in faith and knowledge of him. Growth is where transformation takes place.

be transformed, the renewing of mind, to the extent you prove the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect" (Romans 12:2)

Transformation means metamorphosis, like a caterpillar transforming inside a cocoon and coming out a butterfly. This is what needs to happen after our new birth, the renewal of our  minds. What is inward needs to come outward. The righteousness gifted to us needs to grow up and bear fruit. You can not do nor discern God's will until your mind is renewed therefore you can not be truly obedient without transformation.

because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God, not submitting to the laws of God (Romans 8:7)

The laws of God are spiritual and the carnal mind can not submit to them as they are opposed to one another. The wondrous way that God solves this problem is through our new birth, we become spiritual and can submit to that which is spiritual, the laws of God. What happens at new birth is God puts his Spirit within us and gives us a new heart. But our minds are still carnal, susceptible to giving into fleshly desires. We can have victory and serve with the mind the laws of God when it is renewed. 

because all the ones born of God conquers the world and this is the victory that conquers the world; that our faith (1 John 5:4-5)

It is clear our victory will come through new birth and faith. How do we conquer through faith? We come to the answer by asking other questions. Is a renewed mind the same thing as freedom and having victory in Christ? Is transformation a part of this victory? How are we transformed? Does transformation bring forth obedience? Victory? How are we transformed?

We established from Romans 12:2, one can't obey without a renewed mind. So it is an important question, how is the mind renewed. That our victory comes through new birth implies transformation, renewal of the mind, comes through the Spirit, as Paul writes "be renewed of the spirit of your mind." 

That our victory comes through faith implies transformation, renewal of the mind, comes through faith. From Jesus who exists the word of God, the word of life, whose words exist eternal life, from whom our faith is authored and matured. James calls his words the law of Liberty, as his words bring freedom. And we have equated freedom with victory. So we are getting closer to an answer.

If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:31-32)

Freedom, victory comes through abiding in the words of Jesus. This is what John writes when he says the young person is strong and has overcome the evil one, "because the word of God abides in him." We equate freedom and victory with abiding in the words of Jesus. And we equate this with fruit; joy, obedience, life. With growth into maturity, adulthood, into the full measure of the stature of Christ. We also equate freedom with transformation, the renewing of the mind. 

... the one abiding in me and I in him, bears much fruit... (John 15:5)

Abiding in the words of Jesus will transform your life, by renewing your mind to be spiritual, like that of Christ. It is so simple but difficult because the flesh will be opposed to it. Who will overcome? Those born of God will overcome as our faith grows through abiding in his words. The outcome of transformation is obedience which is accepting God's will as good, pleasing, and perfect. Joy is fulfilled when we grow into maturity in him. Best of all is experiencing Jesus as the word of life, to know his words exist eternal life. 

A transformed life is a life obedient, a life victorious, a life joyful... all the outcome of a life abiding in the word of life. So how do I live a transformed life? Abide in Jesus, the word of life. The Spirit, the anointing, teaches us to abide in him. 



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