Being Renewed
2 Corinthians 4:16
So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.
We are works in progress. We’re not done yet, and won’t be, this side of the grave. We say things, we think things, we do things that we regret later.
Colossians 3:10
and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.
Not only are we being renewed, there is a purpose to it! Not only are we becoming “different”, we are being renewed in the image of our God.
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.
When we submit to this renewal, we are transformed. We grow in wisdom and discernment. We learn to “test”. We test doctrine, friendships, churches, reading material. We learn that we have the ability to discern the will of God.
All of this points to our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 3:18
And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.
It helps me to remember that I cannot do this under my own power. I was in a Bible study Wednesday night and one of the statements in the study was “God never asks us to do the impossible.”
I popped in, “He asks us to do the impossible all the time! But the impossible becomes possible in Christ.”
2 Corinthians 3:18 continues in the next chapter, and it’s the same thought I started with.
Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart..
Do not lose heart, my friends. God is in control, He cares; He knows the numbers of the hairs on our heads.
And He is the one renewing our minds.
Ellen, thank you for all those wonderful Scriptrue passages – I needed them to read this morning. I will be sitting at His feet this weekend to get renewed. And yes, with Him all things are possible…
Oh yes, I totally agree with this, only God can make us into a new creation in Him.
“Do not lose heart, my friends. God is in control, He cares; He knows the numbers of the hairs on our heads.”
I was sent here by Eph2810….and what a blessing it was for me to read your post.
I am of the like mind of the girl at your bible study…going through, what I think, is the impossible.
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction and reminding me what this is all about. I believe I’m being ‘lovingly taught’ what faith and trust are all about. =)
Great reminders of the wonderful renewing power of God! 🙂 Thanks!
Oh, thank you so much for this. Today I have been struggling with the temptation to lose heart. What a needed reminder to not give in, that those are Satan’s lies, that the Lord is renewing me even in this time. Thank you.
Thank you for this. 2 Corinthians 3:18 was my memory verse last week. This post gives me a touchstone to help me remember the why of the verse not just the words.
Ellen,
WOW!! We CAN expect to do the impossible and I believe with all of my heart that we can with Christ. For if He is with us, who can be against us. Love Romans 12:2 also. Wonderful post. Love and hugs, Lynn