Meditate on His Word
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
I don’t want to make the mistake of saying that the transformation of our minds (Romans 12:2) is solely the result of intellectual effort. On the contrary, thank God, there is such a thing as having transformative encounters with God. The foundation of spiritual transformation is the entrance of God’s Spirit that Father initiates when someone receives Jesus as their Lord. The very real sanctifying presence of God changes the child of God’s outlook. From that starting point the word of God resumes its work in our souls.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)
All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16)
The presence of the Lord who inspired the Bible bears witness to the sacred text. Nothing the Spirit does will contradict the sweep of the Scripture. In fact, ofttimes after the fact, the principles found in the Bible confirm the prior leading of the Spirit. Likewise, the Holy Spirit’s interaction with the human soul often confirms the Word. The synergy of Spirit and Word is well known and should be celebrated.
This is very true concerning the apprehension of God’s love.
In Ephesians is a record of Paul’s intercession for believers to grasp God’s love. Note, he did not pray for the Scriptures to be made alive to them. He prayed for a dynamic interaction with God’s Spirit who would impart revelatory power to dwell in Jesus’ love.
But Paul also taught about God’s love. Here are four powerful examples:
1 – Father demonstrated His love.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in that the Messiah died on our behalf while we were still sinners. (Rom 5:8 CJB)
Jesus loved you. He gave Himself up for you.
2 – He gave Himself up for believers who are part of a group of individuals.
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as (the Messiah) also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Eph 5:1-2)
3 – He gave Himself up for the believing community as a corporate personality.
Husbands, love your wives, just as (the Messiah) also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, (Eph 5:25)
4 – He gave Himself up for each individual.
the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. (Gal 2:20b)
Paul was a teacher. He expected his disciples to concentrate on what he taught. He sought to inform their worldviews and guide their relationships through the things he wrote.
The words of the prophets and apostles are important. They are Spirit-breathed. When we meditate upon Scripture the Spirit of God interacts with our thought patterns. This is not the only means of transformation, but it is an indispensable part of the process.
Here is Paul the apostle’s charge:
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Do you want to be transformed through the knowledge of God’s holy love? Dig in. Cultivate your time in the Scriptures. Meditate upon the Word of God and search for truth like a miner digging for gold. Expect God’s Holy Spirit to give you insight, to strengthen your ability to trust your Father, and to empower you to walk in harmony with Jesus, the manifestation of His heart’s love.
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Also, David wrote a book about God’s love for the Jewish People called, For the Sake of the Fathers
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