On Sunday, I spent some time talking about how we think and where we get our learning patterns from.  In Romans 12:2, we are instructed not to conform to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  The spiritual renewal of the mind must begin with God and with time spent seeking Him through His word and through prayer.  As we seek God with all of our hearts He begins to change us inwardly and it’s this changing inwardly that leads to a changed life.  We are being changed by God’s power and we are receiving this change through our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Romans tells us we can be transformed, an inside – out approach to change as compared to reformed, an outside – in approach to change.

It seems that every week you meet people whose lives are in serious trouble because of their choices and behavior.  Many of these seek to change, but they try to change their actions apart from the supernatural changing of the heart that only God can do.  This attempt to reform a life usually ends in frustration, despair, and even hopelessness.  Sometimes I’ll find myself saying “that what they really need is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.”  What I mean by that is that when we come into relationship with the true and living God through His son Jesus, He transforms us by His power and begins a deep inward work that begins to impact our choices and our behavior.  When the mind is renewed through the Word and through prayer, the relationship with Christ becomes more intense, it has greater effect on our character and nature.  Instead of the behavior patterns of the world, I began to act differently – to treat others differently – my disposition toward life is altered by my relationship with Jesus.  What I really need is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

If you want to see some changes in your life then understand that lasting change will begin on the inside.  Also understand that “inside” change begins with God renewing our minds through His word by His Spirit.