God Does the Transforming
Tuesday’s Verse:
From Romans 12:2 ESV
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
Change your life. Try harder. Do better. Fix yourself. Do some work!
But notice where the work actually takes place according to this verse. It’s not in you.
Saint Paul says here, be transformed, not transform yourself. Lutherans believe this indicates our transformation comes from God himself. Left to our own devices, we will easily revert to the old patterns we’ve been molded by. The “pattern of this world” beckons us effortlessly.
God molds us through His word. He renews our minds as we hear the Gospel, as we remember our Baptism, as we receive forgiveness. Slowly but surely (and by God’s grace, not perfectly) something happens. We begin to desire different things. We start to think differently. We can see what is “good and acceptable and perfect.”
The transformation of our lives does not come by sheer willpower, creating a new you. It comes by God making you who you already are in Christ.
✝️ A Prayer for Today:
Heavenly Father, I so often try to change myself and only feel defeated. Renew my mind through your word. Mold my thoughts, my desires, and my actions according to Your will for my life. Continue to work on me, Lord, even when I cannot see it happening. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Luther’s Morning Prayer:
I thank You, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, Your dear Son, that You have kept me this night from all harm and danger; and I pray that You would keep me this day also from sin and every evil, that all my doings and life may please You. For into Your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all things. Let Your holy angel be with me, that the evil foe may have no power over me. Amen.
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