Be Transformed Not Terminated

The banner outside my Church just got a bit more interesting recently. Given its vantage point from Cathay, the grand dame of Singapore cinemas, the banner is almost chastising the blockbusters that are being shown across the road

Be Transformed

Not Terminated

"Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good pleasing and perfect will."

~Romans 12:2

These days, Hollywood movies can cost as much as the GDP of an African nation, and offer little more than 90 mins of mindless violence, virtual reality graphics and paper thin storylines. But many still watch them seeking to be entertained, only to discover they leave the theatre disappointed or half-empty.

The real world is pretty much the same. The earthly pursuit of fortune, fame, physical pleasure and vanity easily blinds us from the real reason why we are created - that is to live like Christ and be like Him, and we definitely cannot achieve it by own strength.

It requires the right motivation, namely God's mercies (e.g. freedom from sin), and God's love (e.g. natural action to recipocrate His grace). We also need to trust the Lord to allow Him to transform us. After all, we are provided with the tools to renew our minds and set our mind on things above - Word of God, prayer and fellowship.

It is not rocket science actually. Self-improvement books boast similar concepts for the longest time i.e. "We become what we think", and "We can change attitudes and behaviour by filling our mind with positive mental images".

But we often fail to do so, because we tend to become what they think (much of which is we think upon is not becoming). At the same time, we fail to renew our minds as we fall behind in our time with God, and occupy our lives with too much trash (e.g. sinful images and mindless chatter).

So it's pretty much a case of discipline and possessing the right attitude to be transformed. What are we waiting for? Transform and roll on!