Romans 12:2 - Seeing Through the "Shades of Grey"

Romans 12:2
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

When I was young, the world often seemed so simple—right was right, and wrong was wrong. The lines were clear, the choices were obvious. But as I have grown older, something has happened. Life feels more complicated. What was once black and white has begun to blur, and find myself navigating a world full of gray areas.

These “shades of gray” often come with complicated explanations and justifications. I hear words like “context,” “situation,” or “perspective.” And while there is true wisdom in understanding circumstances, I must also recognize the danger: if I’m not careful, I may start conforming to the world’s way of thinking rather than seeking God’s clear will.

Romans 12:2 offers timely guidance: “Do not conform any longer 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.”

Paul is reminding us that the Christian life requires intention. Conforming is easy—you just need to be passive. Transformation, on the other hand, takes action. It’s a conscious choice to think differently and let God reshape our minds.

You and I live in a world that seems to almost celebrate compromise and confusion. But God calls us to clarity, to spiritual discernment. As 1 John 2:15-17 teaches, loving the world means turning away from the Father. The world’s desires are temporary, but doing God’s will leads to eternal life.

To truly see through the gray, we must learn to “prove”—to test and discern—what is good and right in God’s eyes. The spiritually minded person doesn’t base their decisions on feelings or trends, but instead, they look to God’s truth. In 2 Corinthians 5:16, Paul says we no longer view anyone from a worldly perspective. Our minds, our hearts, and our wills must be guided by the mind of Christ (Philippians 2:5).

The renewal of the Christian’s mind is not a one-time event—it’s a daily journey. And yes, it can be hard. It might mean facing uncomfortable truths about ourselves or letting go of the world’s approval. But to remain comfortable in the world’s thinking is to risk being lost.

So let’s commit to the hard, beautiful work of transformation. Let’s seek clarity in a world of confusion. Let’s fix our minds on Christ and strive to think, feel, and act more like Him each day.

Because when we start seeing through the gray with the light of God’s truth, we’ll discover that His will isn’t cloudy or vague—it’s good, pleasing, and perfect.

Matthew 5:13 - How Salty Are You?

Matthew 5:13

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?

It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

When Jesus declared, "You are the salt of the earth" (Matthew 5:13), He wasn't asking us to go out into the world like Emeril Lagasse, shouting “Bam!” and adding flavor to everything—He was laying down a profound and meaningful guideline for how we’re meant to live as His followers.

So, what does it really mean to be the “salt of the earth,” and why does it matter so much?

First off, back in the time Matthew wrote his Gospel, salt was essential for preserving food. Before refrigeration, keeping food from spoiling, especially in hot climates, was crucial. Jesus used this image to emphasize our role in preserving the goodness and truth of God’s Kingdom in a world that can easily slip into moral decay. Paul echoes this idea in Romans 12:2, where he urges us “not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by renewing our minds.” By living out our faith, we help maintain the moral and spiritual integrity of society, preventing it from falling apart.

But Jesus didn’t stop at preservation. Salt also enhances flavor. It makes food taste better, just as we’re called to bring out the best in the world around us. In Colossians 4:6, Paul advises us to let our conversations be “always full of grace, seasoned with salt,” so that we know how to respond to everyone. Our words and actions should add a touch of grace, kindness, and love, making life richer and more meaningful for those around us. We’re here to add a bit of compassion to a world that can often feel bland and bitter.

Salt also represents purity. James 1:27 calls us to keep ourselves “unstained from the world.” This doesn’t mean we have to be perfect, but it does mean striving to live with integrity and holiness. By maintaining purity in our hearts and actions, as Jesus encouraged in the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:8), we set a godly example for others to follow. Our purity shines as a beacon of light in a world that can sometimes be dark.

Lastly, in ancient times, salt symbolized covenant loyalty. In Numbers 18:19, salt is mentioned in the context of the “covenant of salt” between God and His people, representing a lasting and enduring agreement. As the salt of the earth, we’re called to be steadfast in our commitment to God and the mission He has given us. This isn’t just a temporary task but a lifelong calling to be faithful witnesses of His love and truth. Paul encourages us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 to be “steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,” knowing that our efforts are never in vain.

However, Jesus also warns us about the dangers of losing our “saltiness.” In the same verse, He says, "It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot." This is a serious reminder that if we, as His followers, lose our distinctiveness—if we stop living according to His teachings and values—we risk becoming ineffective in our mission.

In the ancient world, salt that had become diluted or contaminated with impurities lost its value and its effectiveness. Similarly, if we fail to live out our faith and values, we can’t fulfill the role Jesus has called us to. In this sense, our witness and influence become "useless," like flavorless salt. The phrase "thrown out and trampled underfoot" carries a sense of judgment or consequence. Just as useless salt is discarded, so too might we be if we fail to live out our calling effectively, risking irrelevance or rejection by those around us.

In essence, Jesus is urging us to maintain our distinctiveness as His disciples—preserving our "saltiness" by living in accordance with His teachings. It’s a serious responsibility, but also a joyful one. We have the opportunity to make a real difference simply by living out the values Jesus taught. Let’s embrace our role with enthusiasm and purpose, sprinkling a bit of that divine salt wherever we go—preserving goodness, enhancing life, and reflecting the purity and loyalty of our covenant with God.

Galatians 2:20 - Have You Had a Close Call?

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Have you ever had a “close call”? Maybe you just missed being hit by a car that didn’t see you while changing lanes. Or perhaps you were hit—but came through the experience with only a few bumps and bruises—yet when you look at your car, you wonder how you weren’t killed!

If you’ve lived a normal life, you can probably look back and recall a lot of close calls—some closer than others.

A close call with death can dramatically change us—how we see life, what we consider important, and what we realize isn’t. These close calls make us more aware of our mortality and cause us to rethink our priorities. Where we once felt invincible and thought death was something that happened to others, we now see how fragile life is, and our view of what matters is turned upside down.

For Christians, recognizing our vulnerability can actually help us grow spiritually. In fact, if we don’t have a close call with evil, we might end up with just a set of beliefs—not truly understanding what Christ wants us to become.

Real conversion happens when we grasp the dangers we face and recognize our need for salvation. This deeper understanding helps us fully appreciate Jesus’ sacrifice.

Surviving a close call also reshapes our sense of strength and weakness. When we understand our vulnerability, we are humbled—but in that weakness, we often find true strength. Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:10, “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” He was reminding us that resilience and faith are where true power lies.

These close call experiences often lead us to change how we live. For instance, we might start taking better care of ourselves or pursue dreams we’ve been putting off. In Romans 12:2, Paul urges us to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” A close call can inspire us to live more purposefully, in line with God’s will.

Paul’s own conversion in Acts 9 is a powerful example. His encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus was a dramatic close call that completely changed him. On his way to persecute Christians, he suddenly saw how wrong he had been, and his life was never the same. In Galatians 2:20, Paul wrote, “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” His encounter didn’t just change his beliefs—it changed him at the core.

A close call reminds us that life is fragile and helps us focus on what truly matters. It gives us an opportunity to reset our priorities, deepen our compassion, and live with greater intention and gratitude. Through these moments, we learn to embrace life more fully, understand what God has done for us through His Son, and recognize that each day is a blessing.