The Agony of Transformation

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.

Three challenges are given here:

1. Do not comply with the rules, standards and laws of a worldly-mindset. 
2. Make a thorough, dramatic change in appearance and/or character
3. Restore/re-start your mind to things of the Spirit.

We all are guilty.  If we all are honest with ourselves we all can say, "I'm guilty of not doing my part 24/7 in the transformation process."

In the flesh it is easier to conform rather than be transformed.  Transformation takes WORK.  Hard.  Knee-breaking. Work.  It takes determination.  Mostly it takes the POWER of the Spirit. 

Outward holiness is often times not our Spiritual issue.  The evidence of the fruit of the Spirit is.

There are so many who have their sleeve length right, collar length right, have their hair-dos just so, and hem length just right, but have black, pharisaical, devouring spirits.  The outward is there.  Pristine.  The inward, not so much. 

At times, we've all been guilty. 

Galatians 5:22-23  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law

It's easier for humanity to pick The Fruit rather than ingest it. It's more compatible to the fleshly nature of the heart to be consumed/conformed to the ways and standards of  our flesh.  Picking The Fruit of the vine to consume it is the easy part.  Actually consuming it, and being filled by it, this is the hard part.  Sometimes even the very thought of having to do it gives indigestion to our fleshly nature.

Oh admit it.  I know you've been there. 

Nobody, (and we all have been here), wants to be joyful and full of love toward somebody (or bodies) who have lit a torch to our already wounded, bruised soul/mind/heart.  Nobody likes to be the one to fulfill the ideal (the standard/the Godly watermark) of loving, doing good and showing kindness toward individuals who have time and time and again spit [as it were] in our face.  Told lies.  Been manipulative.  Deceptive. Back-biting.  Tale-bearing.   

Nobody, when honest with themselves, would say they find it easy to love and show love toward the person who breeds them pain.  It hurts too much.

But...Romans is there in God's Word.  We can not pass over it.  It is to be consumed. Transformation gives power.  It is our defense.  Our protection.  Our armor.  Conformation defeats.  It devours.  It lays our soul bare to the devices of the enemy.          

Lord, Please help me.  I thank you that your compassions fail not.  I thank You that your mercy is renewable.  I thank You, that though it hurts so bad, I can still appreciatively see the inner process of Godly transformation in my home and my life.  Please continue to show your compassions.  And what's more, Lord, please help me to control my turmoil.  As for me and my house, let us be totally centered in the position and condition where Your glory can be manifested.  No matter how much it hurts in the meantime.