Daily Devotional | A Renewed Mind

When you say you love God, what do you mean? For many of us, we express our love for the Lord through our emotions. We may feel especially loving toward God when we sing or pray. We also show our love for God through our actions, obeying His commands. But what does it mean to love God with your mind? Scripture is clear that our transformation through Christ means allowing our minds to be made new.

In today’s text, Paul begins by referencing what he had been discussing in chapters 1–11 when he states, “in view of God’s mercy” (v. 1). Paul is saying that in light of all that God has done, Christians in Rome should respond by offering their physical bodies as a living sacrifice to God (v. 1) and by renewing their minds (v. 2). Unlike animal sacrifices that had traditionally been presented to God on a daily basis, Paul says a Christian’s life is to be presented to God. When we offer our lives to serve one another because of what Christ has done for us, we are actually worshiping God.

Paul also knew that we can be easily deceived into the worldly patterns of service, expecting something in return. He urges his friends not to be conformed to the ways of the world, but rather to be transformed by a new way of thinking (v. 2). Instead of thinking “I will do, so I can get,” Paul wants them to live a service-filled life with an attitude of “I will do, because of what God has done through Christ Jesus.” When we are able to change our way of thinking and live this type of service-filled life, we are worshiping with all our heart, soul, and mind.

>> Spend some time today thinking about how you express your love to God. Can you identify ways you love Him with your heart, soul, and mind? Worship Him with your renewed mind today.

Pray with Us

Father, sometimes we live as if some areas of life are spiritual and others purely secular. We desire to submit every aspect of our lives to you, worshiping you with our bodies, souls, and minds, and everything we do.

BY Dr. Chris Rappazini

Dr. Chris Rappazini believes “the Bible is still relevant, leadership is essential, and the church’s best days are still ahead.” Chris is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, the University of Edinburgh, and Gonzaga University. He served as Associate Professor of Pastoral Studies at Moody Bible Institute. Chris and his wife, Ashley, and their children now reside in North Carolina.