(image from: blog.thoughtpick.com)Do not conform any longer 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.
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Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
-Romans 12:2, 9-10.
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Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.
-Romans 12:2, 9-10.
The verses above encourage us to not live our lives according to the pattern and culture of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind. Then the author goes on to tell us that our love must be sincere. I'm sure you're getting my drift here. When we look around the world there'e so much hatred, bitterness, and truly the love of many has waxed cold. Even in my life. I allowed the enemy to come in and sow seeds of strife and bitterness that just sunk in and took deep roots. It took an emotional outburt on my part for me to realize how deep I had allowed this thing to grow.
See the enemy loves stife in the body of Christ, the more he cause disunity, the harder it is for us to walk in the fullness of what God has for us. In verse 2 it says, "then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is." When we're walking in strife we can't say we know God's heart because in His heart there is no hatred, no malice and no strife. Remember that admonishment that says, "Oh how wonderful and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity?" When we dwell in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ that is when the anointing and grace of God can truly flow down. Too many times do ministries break down because someone started a rumor and then the seed of deception and strife spreads, leaving many wounded and bitter.
God wants to do an awesome work in His body in these last days. I believe that we would be able to access some mighty breakthroughs spiritually in these last days even as in the natural many things that people thought would never happen are happening. However, to get to that place of knocking down obstacles and claiming the victory, the whole body of Christ has to be united in the effort. Every joint has to supply without murmuring or complaining. Enough of the bickering and back-biting. But this we should do: "Rejoice and exult in hope; be steadfast and patient in suffering and tribulation; be constant in prayer." (Romans 12:12)
