Renew

“Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.”- 2 Corinthians 4:6

In January many of us have multiple subscriptions and memberships that are up for annual renewal. A person can have a pretty sizeable list of accounts to monitor, manage and prioritize. A few weeks ago, I noticed an abnormally high expense on our credit card. After doing some research I discovered that we had failed to cancel a seven-day free trial, leaving us with a hefty fee for something we never even used!

Whereas our first missional word for our new name (Restoration Church), RECEIVE, has to do more with an ENTRY POINT and WELCOME, the next word, RENEW, is about an EVERYDAY WORK mindset. In Romans 12:2 Paul calls the believers to action, “Do not conform 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.”

The grace and love we receive from God needs CULTIVATING into a DAILY FOLLOWING after Christ. Moving and maturing from a salvation decision to becoming a disciple will require a renewal of commitment, a renewal of heart and mind, a renewal to love and service. In Ephesians 4:22-24 says, “You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” The Greek words Paul uses “to put on” speaks to an ongoing practice. It is as if the Apostle is supplying us with a renewal checklist that will bring about life-giving results!

When something is renewed, it is returned to a place of beauty, value, and purpose. Being renewed produces precious and powerful results as we come to the Lord to be cleansed, molded, and strengthened. Isaiah 40:31 declares, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagle’s; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Restoration Church will be a place people RENEW their relationship with God, their love for people, their identity as a new creation, their knowledge/understanding of the Bible, their thought life, and their pursuit of holiness and fruitfulness.

Our renewal in God is free and freeing. Let’s apply it to our account today!