A paradigm
is our personal representation of truth as we see it. We process and categorize
everything, which occurs around us or to us, through this model of our reality.
Our paradigm makes us feel secure and allows us to live an orderly life. We
often shift our paradigm to adjust to the changes in our experience or our
philosophy of life.
One of the
greatest shifts in our paradigm occurs when we respond to the call of God to
accept Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord. He transforms our lifestyle,
thought processes and behavior. We no longer seek futile pursuits, our morals
line up with the Word of God, our character takes on the nature of God, our
soul is satiated with all the fullness of God and our spirit is renewed by the
power of God (2 Peter 1:4; Ephesians 4:17-24; 1 Peter 1:13-15; Romans
12:1-2).
As we grow
in our faith in God's faithfulness, we develop a Biblical worldview. Our
paradigm takes on the values, prophetic encouragement and truth, as well as the
hope, which God gives us in His Word. God's grace creates in us a clean heart
and we repent of each instance of sin (Psalm 51:10; Acts 3:19). He regenerates our spirit,
sanctifies our soul and promises to glorify us with an immortal body at the
resurrection (Luke 21:25-28; 1 Corinthians 15:53; Philippians 3:21; John
5:28-29).
As the
foundation for everything an Authentic Believer thinks and believes, the Bible
affects how we view the world. We reject any ideas presented in printed, audio
and visual media, which are contrary to Biblical principles. We refuse to allow
these carnal concepts to conform us a worldly pattern, because God gives us
everlasting life, and no one will ever snatch us out of His hand (John
3:16, 6:40, 10:28).
Prayer:
Father
God, we find the answer to all of life's questions in the pages of the Bible,
which You provided in order to give us hope and light in this troubled world in
which we live. We refuse to take part of this world, because our citizenship is
in Heaven (John 15:19; Philippians 3:20). We are no longer strangers and
aliens, pilgrims who have no home, because we are now fellow citizens with the
Body of Christ, and we belong to Your family as co-heirs with Christ of all
that You possess (Eph 2:19; Romans 9:17). Your Spirit transforms us and renews our mind to
God's Word (Romans 12:2; John 17:17). Remind us
to seek Your Kingdom first, because You always provide everything we need to
sustain our life and to walk in serenity (Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:7).
Thought
for the Day:
Authentic
Believers make a covenant with God to reject all carnal influences from the
world and to focus on the pursuit of godliness.
- 1
Timothy 6:11
