Clean Up

Romans 12:2 "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

I am a neat freak, a total minimalist. I like to keep things simple and clean. Whether you’re a minimalist or not, most people understand that the only way to fill our closets with new stuff is to get rid of the old, which means that before we even think about buying new stuff, we need to do some major housecleaning.

Jesus said, “No one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins . . . new wine is for fresh wineskins” (Mark 2:22). So when it comes to our thought life, the only way to fill up with fresh thoughts is to eradicate the old. The only way to renew our mind is to get rid of what’s rotting in it.

Paul understood how hard the battle in the mind can be. His background, after all, was just a little bit sketchy. Yet he understood exactly what it takes to be completely transformed. In Romans 12:2 he admonishes us to change our minds about everything. He urges not to be like the world starting with our thoughts. And if you're always asking yourself what God's will for your life is, the truth is that holiness and a transformed mind are the answer.

For some of us, that means getting serious about cleaning up. Some habits we will have to change. And the things we love and think we can’t live without? It might be time to dump those habits in the trash bin and make room for what’s new and pleasing to the Lord.

Questions:

What occupies your thought life? Are there some things you need to clean up and replace with what’s new?