That FORM of Doctrine (Part 4 - Conform)

That FORM of Doctrine (Part 4 - Conform)

Start this lesson series at with the Introduction here.

Conform (Grk: schematic) 

There is one schematic, one image that God wants you to conform to; the image of His Son!

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.

Conformation in word and deed can only occur by transformation of the mind, concerning what you believe. The problem and solution are in the mind of man.

Gal 5:19-23  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,  (20)  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,  (21)  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.  (22)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  (23)  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

There is nothing in your flesh except sin and death. The works of the flesh is your natural state. It is the way your mind operates in its default state. Isn’t it interesting to note that what the Spirit produces in you is not called ‘works’ but rather ‘fruit’? The fruit of the spirit is NOT works. You cannot work up love, you cannot produce joy in yourself, you cannot strive for peace. These things come by the operation of the spirit which is of God, 1Cor 2:12, which is present in you through the knowledge and inspiration of the word of God.

The fruit is produced in you by the Word of God. The word is planted within you, then it is watered, and God makes it grow. When it has grown sufficiently, it will produce fruit as listed above. The fruit of the Spirit comes by the Word of God in you. It comes when your mind is filled and transformed by its truth and values. Without the Word of God growing within you, there will be no fruit of the Spirit. You cannot produce it yourself. If God's word is not in your mind, it results in this,

Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do MIND the things of the flesh; …  (6)  For to be carnally MINDED is death; … (7)  Because the carnal MIND is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

Eph 4:17  This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their MIND,

Col 1:21  And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your MIND by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled

However, when the word is planted, watered, and growing within you, the transformation in your mind results in this,

Rom 8:5  For they that are after the flesh do MIND the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit [do MIND] the things of the Spirit.  (6)  For to be carnally MINDED is death; but to be spiritually MINDED is life and peace. 

1Co 2:16  For who hath known the MIND of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the MIND of Christ.

Eph 4:23  And be renewed in the spirit of your MIND;

The goal of the grace doctrine is to conform you to the image of Christ, and this happens by the transforming of your mind through being informed by 'that form of doctrine' in Paul’s epistles. Growth and maturity in Christ do not work any other way. You cannot skip spending time in the Word; to read it and study it. You cannot conform to the image of Christ by your own willpower, commitments, traditions or strength. It can only happen when the living Word gets into you.