That FORM of Doctrine (Part 3 - Transform)

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 3 - Transform)

Start this lesson series at with the Introduction here.

Transform (Grk: metamorphis) 

The Lord has given us a form of doctrine through the pen of Paul. His 13-epistles are a curriculum, a structure of ordered content that is designed to inform us of God and His will and ways for this dispensation. We can neglect this doctrine concerning God’s will and ways and walk around in the vanity of our own mind, darkened in our understanding, and completely ignorant of the life of God and His plans for us, or we can choose to study this doctrine and allow it to become informed within us, which will lead us to the next step in this study; becoming transformed by the renewing of our mind.

By default, we are in the image of the world. Our mind is in vanity, focused only on this life which is temporary and fleeting. As we become informed of our doctrine, we open ourselves up to be transformed (transported, translated) into a new way of thinking and living, and in essence, to reveal to us a new image of life in Christ.

It is the information of spiritual knowledge within our mind that helps us to connect with, and discern, the spiritual things of God. Without this information, all we have is carnal, emotional religion, that comes from the imaginations of men who have darkened understandings to the truth of God, Eph.4:17-8.

1Co 2:14-16  But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  (15)  But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.  (16)  For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

The epistle of Romans is the foundational epistle in our spiritual curriculum, presented in Romans to Thessalonians. It is important to notice how prominent the topic of the mind is in Romans. Between chapters 6 to 12, Paul mentions over and over that our minds are to be renewed to this doctrine. We ought to think and walk according to a new standard of living. Our minds should be reset upon a new set of principles which are spiritual and eternal. It is the mind of Christ that should replace the carnal mind of vanity and sin. Friends, do you see that this is instruction that we receive in the very first, and foundational epistle of our doctrine. This is part of the very basics of the Christian life. If we skip this, we will remain as babes and children in the faith and never advance up the curriculum to master the spiritual content from Ephesians onwards.

Let me end this post by reminding you of what Paul tells us in the very first epistle of our curriculum,

Rom_6:17  But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.

Rom_7:23  But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my MIND, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.

Rom_7:25  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the MIND I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.

Rom_8:5  For they that are after the flesh do MIND the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. … 7  Because the carnal MIND is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Rom_8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the MIND of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Rom_12:2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your MIND, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

It is our responsibility and reasonable service to get our minds orientated towards the form of doctrine that God expects us to know. Our Christian walk and growth depend upon this information of truth within us. We can ignore it and remain vain in our imaginations and darkened in understanding, or we can study the doctrine God has provided us and grow up in Christ as mature believers who can know God’s ways and judgements and execute His will according to an enlightened mind.