Be Transformed

“Therefore I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God- this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not be conformed 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” (Romans 12:1-2).

Transformation is a process that is done by God. Our job is to be obedient and submit to His headship in our lives. But first we need to receive God in Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord. This is the process of sanctification or being made holy, more like Jesus. Paul is telling us that we must conform ourselves to God’s will as written in His Word, the Bible, not the world. God does the rest. “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Once made new in Christ, we reflect His glory and He is transforming us.

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Ephesians 4:22-24). This is a process of intentionally putting on a new attitude that is renewed in Christ to be holy. It is an every day thing. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:18 “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:16-17; 22-26).  These traits are what the new self is all about in increasing levels.

Paul teaches in Colossians teaches “since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator…Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you... And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity”  (Colossians 3:9-10; 12-14). He is teaching about our renewal in the knowledge of  Christ. It is a life of reconciliation with God and others. It is covered with the law of God through His Spirit with unworldly, Godly attributes.

Transformation is a process authored by God as we submit to His molding of our lives. This brings more of Him and less of us.