Be Transformed

Possibly one of the greatest aspects of the Christian faith is being transformed into the image of Christ.  The Apostle Paul calls Christians to this life of transformation in Romans 12:1-2.  

Paul says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”  

This life of transformation is a Spiritual life that is oriented to God and brings humility and peace through a changed heart and mind.  Our hearts change as we see ourselves as sinners and hopelessly lost without Christ.  For Paul describes in Romans 3:10-11, "As it is written, there is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God."  

In Romans 3:21,23, Paul further explains to us, "But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed ... through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe."  Because it is by faith it is not by works, it is a gift from God, we cannot earn it, and we must receive it and live by it.  This gift of salvation should humble us completely.  

The transformed life begins then with being led by and filled with the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8:12-14, Paul explains, "Therefore, brethren, we are debtors - not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh.  For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.  For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God."  Our sinful nature can be changed or transformed only by the Holy Spirit working within us.  But we must submit ourselves to Him.

We are also commanded not to conform to the world.  The ways of man may seem right to us but we must not accept accommodation to anything that is opposed to the God of the Bible.  God is holy and even as we are saved by grace we are also called to be faithful to Christ.  How can we know?  Clearly, we can know God's will by examining Scripture and then our motives.  Are we willing to be different from what is popular and fashionable?  The changing norms of culture reflect the progress and priorities of man.  And even though we have technological progress we who are in faith must always uphold the Moral Law of God.  

This life in the Spirit is the life that is being transformed into the likeness of Christ.  We can be transformed when our hearts are regenerated and our minds are steadfast upon the Word.  The Lord will remind us of the truth and we must set aside our selfish desires in order to obtain the Spiritual life.  It is only through our submission to Christ, as we are in Christ, that the Spirit of God will transform us into his image.  Amen, it is true.

FAITH TODAY: John 14:15 - "If you love Me, keep My commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you."