How Can I Renew My Mind, And Live Out Romans 12?
Renewing our minds is not just reading the Bible. Rather, it’s taking what the Bible says and living that out, under the power of God’s goodness and grace, by Christ in you, the hope of glory. Listen, folks, I’m really into the Bible. I have a 4.4-million-word commentary on the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, that I’ve been working on for the last 40 years. I’m into the Bible. I also wrote a study Bible that’s going to be released in a couple of weeks by Thomas Nelson. This is my work; it wasn’t done by a committee. Whether it’s good or bad, it’s my work. I don’t have to proclaim my credentials that I’m into the Bible.
But I’ll tell you something. There has been ill done among the people of God by those who feel that the entire Christian life is one big Bible study. Do you know how I know that the entire Christian life is not one big Bible study? Because the Bible tells me that. The Bible tells me that prayer is important. Worship is important. Doing good in the name of Jesus is important. Getting together with other believers is important. Telling other people about the good things God has done in my life is important. All these things and many more are important aspects of the Christian life. And I know that because the Bible tells me so.
I can read what the Bible tells me about prayer, think about it, meditate on it, and break down the Greek and the Hebrew meanings of it. Or you know what else I can do? I can read it, understand it simply, and then actually pray. Don’t neglect doing those simple habits of the Christian life: prayer, worship, getting together with God’s people. Yes, by all means, read the Bible, but read it as a place to fellowship with Jesus Christ and to receive His strength and goodness, so that you can be empowered to live a life that brings Him glory.