Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Romans 12:2 NLT
If you read last weeks writing (Faith and the Blessings of Surrender), you may notice I used the same referring scripture, Romans 12:2. It is God’s intention to transform each of His children into the image of Christ. Looking at my own life, I can see areas where I have changed or been transformed and other areas that still need some work. This past week I have been thinking about Paul’s words to the church at Galatia. He sounds so passionate in his longing for their transformation. My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you. (Gal 4:19 NIV). Paul’s reference to the process of how a baby is formed from conception to the actual birth is so good. The word translated as “formed” (morphoomai in Greek) means “to be or become developed into a distinctive entity”. Isn’t that what happens to a growing baby developing in its mother’s womb? Step by step, process by process the embryo changes from two cells uniting and multiplying into billions of diverse cells. These diverse cells, in a way only God knows, develop into the specific human being He already knows and cares for.
Every pregnant mama keeps track of how far along they are. There are fun examples of now your baby is the size of a pea, a coconut and finally a pumpkin! Each stage is important and exciting. The parents can picture the development or formation of their child, unseen but clear. Doctors have determined all the different stages or markers the child should be making at each stage. Do you think God has a development stage for His children? Could He use different markers for our spiritual development? Perhaps our maturity level?
I wonder how God would judge His kids maturity stages? Would it be how much we complain? How much we are willing to lay down our own lives for His sake? How quick we are to obey Him? Across the world, I wonder how many of God’s kids still remain in kindergarten? Still seeking their own ways and own pleasure. I am so grateful that the Holy Spirit continues to work in us and through us to become like Him. It is our choice to flow with Him, or resist Him. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. Ephesians 4:15-16. Grown children, properly raised, become productive members of their community. Mature believers do the same. They become a positive influence for Christ’s sake and the Kingdom of God.
Transformation takes place when we surrender to Him and His will. We seek His purpose and plan above our own. Immature children put their own ways first. Growing children learn to wait and trust their parent to feed them, clothe them and meet every need. Learning to trust Him and His ways is part of this transformation from immaturity to maturity. Do you believe you can grow and change? Do you believe you can put off your old man? Do you want to? Looking at my life, I can see where I have actually matured! How do we know when we are growing up? Could it be measured in how we apply the Word to our life situations, even when it is not easy or comfortable?
The first step in transformation begins by asking Him to transform you. It takes humility, faith and trust. The second step comes by following through. Listening to those small prompts to follow through and do what He shows you to do. Put off anything you know is not like Him. Begin to put on those things that are. He is more than able to work His work of transformation in your life. Peace will come. The fruit of the Spirit will show up. It really is the best life imaginable. The world needs us to grow up and become more like Him. Paul’s passion for the Galatians to allow Christ to be formed in them should be the same passion each pastor and leader has for their flock. Let’s seek to conform to 1 Corinthians 15:58: Therefore brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. This is a picture of a believer who must have allowed the Holy Spirit to transform them to be like Jesus. He who overcomes , I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will go out no more. Revelation 3:12.NKJV. I think this is the goal of transformation, to become a pillar others can lean on.
Father, I thank you for the promise of transformation. Please help your children become more and more like you. I know it is your will and desire. We submit to your precious Holy Spirit, because we know we cannot change ourselves. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Faith Encounters 