OLD DOG – NEW TRICKS!

Friday, January 4, 2019

OLD DOG – NEW TRICKS!

Rom 12:1-2

12 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

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 often said that you can’t teach an old dog new tricks but that is not so. Old dogs have already learned a pattern of behavior that must be abandoned and replaced by a new pattern of behavior. The dog must cooperate and usually that means some new incentive is offered.

           We are old dogs! We have long ago learned a pattern of behavior that was displeasing to God. We have learned selfishness and must be retrained for generosity. We have learned rebellion and must be retrained for loving obedience. We must understand that that it is reasonable, rational, and beneficial to make these changes.

           The idea of a living sacrifice is not pleasant to contemplate but the Amplified New Testament renders it “making a decisive dedication of our bodies” to God by offering all our faculties and members to Him until it becomes a new habit to do so.

           The Prodigal Son, in Luke 15, changed his mind before he changed his behavior. First he “came to himself.” He looked around and saw that his old behavior was causing problems for everyone and especially for himself! Next, he compared his life with the conditions in his father’s house. He made a decisive decision that required action. Finally, he anticipated a pleasant outcome even if he were to be made a servant in his own father’s house.

           We are old dogs and this is a new year. Let us make a decisive dedication of ourselves to God.

 Dear Lord, I am a slow learner so please be patient with me as I submit to you for retraining. AMEN