“The quality of our lives often depends on the quality of our habits” James Clear
Over the last two weeks we focused on two of three qualities Jesus looked for in His disciples.
- WILLING TO LEARN
- WILLING TO LEAD
This week our focus is on BEING TRANSFORMED! The Apostle Paul knew first-hand what a major transformation he had gone through. From persecutor and murderer of Christians, Paul’s former way of thinking was transformed into the mindset of a dynamic follower of Jesus. His hunger to know God produced revelations of Jesus that raises the bar today for all who are: willing to learn, willing to lead and willing to be transformed. His depth of revelation is transformational.
Paul wrote about the transforming power of the Gospel in his letter to the Romans:
Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes. Romans 12:1-2 (PBT)
How you think! This is transformation that sets us apart from the world. Jesus lived this transformation by example for us. The words “how you think” in the Passion Bible, King James and New International versions is translated “mind”. In the Greek this word includes the intellect, mind, thought, feeling, and implies understanding. Transformation is revolutionary.
Renewing our way of thinking to God’s way is about more than just information. It an on-going process from the way we think before Jesus becomes our Lord to when we know and worship Him as Lord. The transformation of our mind delights His heart. We begin to think like Jesus.
Here are 5 observations about how Jesus thought:
- Jesus knew who He was: He lived confident, bold & authoritative!
- People were attracted to Him!
- Jesus was on a mission: He lived with an eternal sense of urgency!
- People got caught up in His movement!
- Jesus’ nature was love: He loved first!
- People needed to be loved. They followed Him to be loved!
- Jesus’ daily habit: He taught them with authority!
- People are hungry to know the truth!
5. Jesus challenged them: Knowing what was in their hearts, He questioned them!
- People needed His challenge more than His pity!
Apostolic mindsets see beyond the immediate. Disciple-makers must strategically do likewise.
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