Let love be without hypocrisy. Hate what is evil. Cling to what is good. Living in the ways of Christ we stand against evil. We do not call evil good nor good evil. We stand in the faith that Holy Spirit gives us and the power of God for good in the lives that we touch. Stand firm and watch God work! Carla
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
Romans 12:9-18 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
Conformed means “to form” or “mold.” World is the normal word for “age” or “era.” Instead of being molded by the values of this world, the believer should be transformed, that is, changed by the renewing of the mind. Spiritual transformation starts in the mind and heart. A mind dedicated to the world and its concerns will produce a life tossed back and forth by the currents of culture. But a mind dedicated to God’s truth will produce a life that can stand the test of time. We can resist the temptations of our culture by meditating on God’s truth and letting the Holy Spirit guide and shape our thoughts and behaviors. The NKJV Study Bible
This age refers to the present evil age (Galatians 1:4), the time prior to Christ’s return. Renewal of your mind refers to mental conformity to the truth of God. This renewal results in a transformation in the life of the believer. The perfect will of God describes the purpose of renewal and transformation.
Israel had failed to recognize God’s will and purposes—that He was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19). Paul provides this instruction so that the Roman believers will not do the same. Faithlife Study Bible
Ephesians 4:23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
1 Peter 1:14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance;
1 John 2:15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Ephesians 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
Ephesians 5:10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord.
I do enjoy watching Les Miserables (Victor Hugo's great novel of betrayal, and redemption). There is a scene at the end of the movie version when Javert (the obsessive fanatic police inspector who has tracked Jean Valjean) has Jean at gun point, "It's a pity," he tells Jean, “The rules don't allow me to be merciful."
Let’s push the pause button here.
“Don’t allow me to be merciful.” Yes. Because that's exactly what happens when our identity is owned by fear.
We can be constricted—not allowed—by “rules”, or creed, or public opinion, or fear of punishment, or the need to just fit in. Regardless, we don't listen to—or trust—our heart.
So. This week is about a Paradigm shift.
You are on holy ground. We are “a cluttered house that hides the Holy One”.
As opposed to, we see only the circumstances (and the labels attached). We can focus only on anger, or cruelty, or destruction, or “no mercy” and assume that is the whole reality.
When that happens, we give way to “scotoma”, meaning, we see only what we want to see.
And we miss what is fundamental: “You are on holy ground.” Beneath me, enabling me, grounding me. When I recognize and honor that, I can choose from that nourishment (fuel), meaning I can choose—make decisions—from, and with hope.
In other words, I’m not simply reacting, or needing to fight fire with fire, or hate with hate.
An overture of grace, coming from a reservoir deep inside. Amen. “Sabbath Moments” Terry Hershey
Biblical hope is an expectation, not just a longing. A person can long for something with no real anticipation of fulfillment, but true hope is an active expectation that what is longed for is assuredly going to happen. Titus 2:13specifically calls us to wait for "blessed hope." The Greek word for "blessed" is makarios, which also carries the connotation of "happy." We are to wait in happy expectation that the object of our hope, the glory of Christ, will unquestionably appear.
His promise is steadfast and trustworthy. He is not unsure, and He does not waver. Our blessed hope is in God's indisputable assurance that the glory we have so long anticipated will burst forth, the person we have so long missed will appear, and we will be like Him (1 John 3:2).
Our certainty of Jesus' reappearance is established by the first appearance of His grace that brought salvation to us. As Titus 2:14 says, He "gave himself for us" to purify our hearts and make us "a people for his own possession." The word "possession" here does not mean a thing that is manipulated but an inheritance that is cherished by Christ.
Scripture also describes how Jesus cultivates us like a Gardener. He tends, protects, and prunes His people to be fruitful in righteousness (Philippians 1:11). He is the vine, and we are the branches that bear fruit by abiding in Him (John 15:5), growing eager to do good works that spring out of love for Him and from Him.
"Waiting for our blessed hope" (Titus 2:13) is the perfect balance of rest and effort: rest because Jesus has already provided everything for our salvation, effort because we want to show we are His. There is no pressure to perform, only the desire to show off Christ's work as we wait in happy hope. There is no burden, no chore, no striving that secures our salvation. Instead, being "zealous for good works" is a gift to us and others while we wait (Titus 2:14),training us to be more like Jesus (Titus 2:12). First5
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