Guigoz 4
C: Mike, I don’t understand why the Bible uses the word “a new creation” when it seems to me that we remain the same creation?
M: First of all when I’m talking of a new creature it is a spiritual reference found in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come.”
C: You mean that we must be transformed??? Please be a little more clear…
M: In Romans 12:2 the apostle Paul advises Christians not to be conformed to the pattern of this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that we will be able to discern what God’s will is- his good, pleasing, and perfect will.
C: What relationship is there between transformation and being able to discern God’s will?
M: Read the verse carefully, transformation is the fruit of having a renewed mind and that is the key!
C: So you want us to talk about the renewing of the mind and not transformation?
M: No Corrine! If your mind is renewed then your spirit will automatically be transformed and from that point forward you will be able to grasp the Holy Spirit’s voice so that you will be able to discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect
C: What prevents our minds from being renewed?
M: Once again I want to look at Romans 12:2 so that you can see how Paul starts that verse. He says: “Do not be conformed to the pattern of this world”. A Christian who has been born again must not conform to the pattern of our world. Rather, Christians need to be conformed to the Word of God so that their minds can be renewed which enables the Spirit to transform them and discern what is good, pleasing, and perfect.
C: What exactly do you mean by “being conformed to the present world” and how are we transformed?
M: Transformation is not governed, once saved we leave one system to enter into another system, where everything changes: our language, thoughts, plans, company…you are no longer in control but are lead by the Holy Spirit, what I mean is that you no longer do what seems best to you but you conform to the will of God. To be conformed to the pattern of this world means to move to the rhythm of this world… It’s like a person who is dancing by following a certain musical rhythm.
C: Do you mean being fashionable?
M: In a certain way yes. This is why Jesus called Satan the prince of this world in John 14:30. Some Christians follow the rhythm of the prince of this world who is Satan without even realizing it.
C: So is it wrong when I wear mini-skirts? Is it really a sin to wear mini-skirts as some people claim?
M: The Bible doesn’t give guidelines for skirts, in fact they didn’t exist when it was written but what the Paul means in Romans 12:2 is that Christians shouldn’t be influenced by the world but rather Christians should influence the world. What I would like to point out is that a child of God should behave as well as dress as a child of God in order to give glory to God. They shouldn’t be a stumbling block for another brother and that’s why Paul said in Romans 14:13 that we shouldn’t do anything that would place a stumbling block or an obstacle in our brother’s way. And don’t forget that Jesus said that we are the light of the world.
C: So does that mean that we should take into consideration what other think about us?
M: Corrine the bible instructs us to be considerate of others through God’s love, but we shouldn’t become slaves to others. Jesus says in Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before men that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven”. Similarly the apostle Peter tells us the same thing in 1 Peter 2:12 instructing us to live such good lives among the pagans that they may see your good deeds and glorify God.
C: Mike, at some point when you were talking to me about transformation you mentioned the need to change company… could you please elaborate about that more?
M: Yes in Guigoz #5
