"Be transformed" (Romans 12:2).
Microwave ovens cook from the inside out. Their energy waves penetrate the food, converge at its core, and...dinner! Conventional ovens heat food from the outside. An important lesson about spiritual health/growth can be learned from this analogy.
St. Paul points out that the world works hard at conforming us to look like it -to embrace greed, lustful attitudes, and selfish anger, etc. This is the conventional way so many people live their lives. They willingly conform to the ever changing standards of the world in order to make life easier. They let the world squeeze them into its mold.
But honest evaluation in the light of God's Laws (10 Commandments) requires Christians to admit that they are different than the world. Salvation through faith in Christ causes an internal change.
God's work inside us, makes us different than the external conformity of the world. By the power of God the Holy Spirit working in us through the Word, God transforms us from the inside out. He changes us at our "core."
The Lord changes our heart and mind, forgives our sins, and re-creates in us a new spirit. Powerful and effective, the grace of Jesus Christ achieves the purposes for which our Lord came -the salvation of our souls. All of God's plans converge on the purpose of making us His children through faith in Jesus Christ.
Don't let the world squeeze you into its sinful mold. Instead let God's Word transform you from the inside out!
-Dale
