The Principle of Renewal
When my husband asked my dad for his blessing to marry me, he wasn’t prepared for his response. After giving his blessing, my dad snickered and told my husband that once we marry, his home would never be the same. If you ask Rich, he will tell you no truer words were ever spoken.
My poor husband has seen six color changes on our living room walls, and continuous evolving decor and moving of furniture. I explained that everything in the house is on trial. I live with it for a period of time and if it doesn’t work; it gets moved or replaced. His response? I can change or replace anything I want in the house (good man) as long as I don’t change or replace him. Deal!
Change is good when it leads to better, but as we age, change becomes harder, as it’s just easier to maintain the status quo. I’ve wanted to remodel our bathroom, but the thought of the work and mess sends me to my chair to read a book instead. With age, our bodies enjoy rest over work, but there is one area of our life that can be renewed with little effort—renewal of our mind that comes from the washing of the Word.
2 Corinthians 4:16 says: Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.
Sounds simple, right? I’m sure those of you who have endured abuse or injustice and then read in scripture that we are to pray for our enemies would say it’s impossible.
If you’ve lived with physical pain or experienced loss, fear, anger, or bitterness, you may have a hard time letting go. Maintaining the status quo is easier than the process of renewal when renewal is what we need to free us from the things that steal our joy.
Like a spring rain, renewal heals and washes away the bitterness, hatred, jealousy, anger, fear, and desire for revenge. Renewal moves us from victim to overcomer. But mostly, renewal frees us to enjoy God’s blessings and the incredible life He has for us.
Romans 12:2 says: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
In this verse, Paul is speaking of the mature believer who is defined not by the amount of scripture they have memorized, or how often they serve or attend church, but by how much they allow the renewal of their mind by the washing of the Word.
Only the renewing power of God’s Word can renew our mind to think like Jesus and respond to trials like Jesus. But this renewal requires more than just study, it requires application, too. Studying the Word is not the same as doing the Word. This is where many believers prefer to maintain the status quo, because applying the Word requires sacrifice and surrender.
James 1:22 says: Be doers of the Word of God and not just hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Renewal only comes when we apply the principles found in Scripture. Bible study produces nothing if the principles we learn are not applied to our life. If we cannot pray for our enemies, forgive those who wrong us, hold on to bitterness, jealousy, and anger, then we do not have the mind of Christ and cannot enjoy the blessed life God offers us. Without renewal, we can’t experience God’s peace that passes understanding.
Every day is an opportunity to renew our minds, grow spiritually, and enjoy the blessings of God. Time can work for or against us. And if we use the time God gave us to renew our minds, then we can enjoy God’s peace and joy. For age is just a number that reflects the years we wasted or spent in surrender to God’s gift of renewal.
So, as we welcome spring, let’s consider the places in our life that needs renewal. It takes courage to embrace change, but oh, what benefit it brings! If you have ill feelings toward anyone, you will miss out on God’s joy and blessings. For help in overcoming this seemingly impossible task, pray for the Holy Spirit’s strength to overcome it. Asking for help is the first step. My article on Loving the Unlovable will give you insight on how to do this. Remember, Jesus said, “My yoke is easy and my burden light.” Renewal is easy when we submit to God’s will and do it His way.
