George Davison

We are to note that this transforming is the result of the "renewing" of our minds. How important then to control the bent of the mind! This would be what the apostle refers to in Romans 8:6, "to be spiritually minded." That is, we think along the lines of the Spirit's promptings, not the line of thought which marked us when self-interest was the governing desire of our lives. Now our desire is to please God, making room for His will, not our own. As we allow these desires to control our thoughts, and consequently our movements, we shall be moving here for the pleasure of God, and we shall certainly "prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." There could not be anything good about our wills, nor could they produce anything acceptable to God, and how far short of perfection must any thoughts of ours be? God can accept from us that only which is of Himself, and we have the great privilege of serving Him in this hostile world as we allow Him to control and guide us. This will lead to true "sanctification." One further statement by the Lord Jesus will show again the bearing of this important truth — "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through Thy truth; Thy word is truth," John 17:16-17.