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How many of you would agree with this statement? “It is easier to make a decision to serve Jesus, than it is to remain true to that decision everyday”. Now, not for one moment do I believe that the decision people make to accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour, is always (if at all) an easy decision. However, what I am saying, is that when we compare that initial decision to serve Jesus – i.e. the activation of our latent “image-of-God-gene” – to a lifetime of remaining committed to that decision – i.e. keeping the “image-of-God-gene” activated – the latter is initially a comparatively harder journey. The Apostle Paul shared a similar testimony which is found in Romans 7:18&19 ISV

“18 For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I don’t do the good I want to do, but instead do the evil that I don’t want to do.”

So, what is the answer to this dilemma that we are discussing? Once activated, how do we keep the “image-of-God-gene” activated? How do we remain committed to our decision to serve God? Again, Paul provides us with the answer still from within the book of Romans. Romans 12:2 states,

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

The scriptural text indicates, that remaining faithful to God requires us to be transformed. Yet, what does that transformation look like. Firstly, let’s remember that we are called upon by God, to live lives that will honour Him, lives that reflect His character. God’s character is manifested in the life of mankind when we practice:

“…love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance”

Galatians 5:22 & 23

Yet, as an individual, are you able to behave in a  manner on a daily basis that results in you bearing these characteristics every day? Are you able to show love in all decisions? Are you gentle in all situations? In challenging situations, are you longsuffering? On my end, I can say that it is certainly a challenge to manifest every component of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in my life on every occasion where it is required. However, even though it is challenging it is not impossible. Now, we know what the transformation is supposed to look like, but how do we achieve it? How do we live that God fearing life?

Let us revisit Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…”. So, the transformation which we confirmed means to live out the character of God in our lives, can be accomplished by a renewing of the mind. The bible calls on us to renew, renovate, to clear out the old and bring in the new, into our minds. Why is this the case and what should we bring in new into our minds? King David’s words best answer these questions for us:

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me”

Psalm 51:5 & 10

So, why do we need to be renewed? Because, while we are born with a latent “image-of-God-gene”, we are born with an active “image-of-satan-gene” called the propensity/inclination to sin, passed down through the ages from Adam & Eve’s decision to disobey God. There is sufficient proof around us, of the destructive power of that “image-of-satan-gene” a.k.a sin and what it does to human life: greed among family and friends, war against nations, unethical behaviour within the workplace, infidelity in marriage, poor parenting and the list can go on. Every human being that is born into this life is bombarded by this commonplace way of life, they are shaped in the iniquity of this life and thus will be a hardened sinner if not for the provisions made by God, that allows anyone to escape this way of life if they should so choose. So, choosing God is very important, but staying in God (in other words renewing that decision to choose God daily) is even more important, and thus I encourage you to daily invite God into your life, so that He can keep your heart clean, and your spirit renewed each day.