Romans 12:1-2: Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform 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.
Growing is often accompanied by groaning. Heart transplants hurt. Change is often painful.
Sometimes the renewing that Paul is talking about feels a little bit like a renovation. Things need to be broken down, broken out. Supporting walls are knocked down so that negative and unhealthy structures can be removed. Often a room or even the whole house will be gutted – bad wiring ripped out, rusty pipes pulled out, and outdated fixtures taken away – so that something new – something better can be put in its place.
God’s Word hurts sometimes. The Truth hurts sometimes.
Sometimes God’s Word is sent to overthrow, knock down, demolish and even destroy certain things. This might feel like you are being ‘gutted’ as He removes the faulty wiring, rusty pipes and outdated fixtures of your old life…
But rest assured. God is a good God. A loving God.
As His Spirit convicts us of sin He also convicts of righteousness. He leads us into the chambers of His heart (His Word) where we learn from Him.
Through His Spirit and through His Word God performs His renovation.
The pain is not for nought.
God wants you to push through that discomfort. Push through that pain.
Paul admonishes Timothy – and us – with the following: 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:11-12)
In the book of Hebrews (12:11-13:) we are encouraged to push through. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.
Leaving the old behind hurts. Leaving people, places and things so that you might better set your eyes on Him hurts.
But the result is worth it.
Choose God today.
Let Him do His work in you.
Yes, He might be demolishing certain things in your life right now, certain ways of doing, certain ways of thinking. He might be demolishing certain things in your life right now – removing certain things – but it is to make way for SOMETHING BETTER.
It is to make room for MORE of HIM.
He wants to take your ashes and give you beauty. He wants to work all things to your good and your benefit – because He loves you (Romans 8). He wants to rewrite His life with His mercy.
I’ve had friends over the years who have had to have tattoos from their old life covered up with new ones or removed. The old tattoos were reminders of a life left behind. In other cases it was the signs and symbols of gangsterism and it had to be ‘blacked out’. In a lot of cases the cover up / removal was not pleasant.
Sometimes the rewriting is not pleasant. It very much is like getting old tattoos covered up.
But He wants to turn your mess into a message. He wants to make history with you – He wants to write His story using your life.
Trust Him. In the pressing, in the crushing – in the renovating.
The end result is going to be awesome.
If you need help in the process, prayer or would just like to know more about Jesus call or whatsapp:
Andre: 065 370 3806
Kailie: 079 037 4024
Or come visit us at church @ Love Beyond Church