Scripture: Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, pills 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, clinic pleasing and perfect will.

Thought for the Day: What does it mean to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind?” I think Paul was trying to convey just how radically different our understanding of our relationship with God should be now that the Christ has been revealed.

In the ancient world, animal sacrifice was an important part of nearly every religious ritual. But in Jesus Paul sees personal sacrifice—a personal sacrifice that we should all be willing to give in order to allow God to move through our soul. We are to sacrifice ourselves to God, to give every thought, every action of our lives to God, who will then change our minds, hearts, and lives. For Paul, sacrifice should be direct and living, not indirect and dead. This sort of deep faith allows us to be strong against the influences of the world and become transformed by the Christ within.

Prayer: God of eternal intelligence, I give my life to you, so that my heart might be transformed, my mind able to withstand the call of culture to conformity, my soul filled with the desire to sacrifice my own comfort for the good of everyone else. Amen.