Thirst Student Ministries

Transformation, by Diane Killmon - April 22, 2007

Romans 12:2
"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".

The Greek word for transformed, used in this passage and two others I will reference, is metamorphoo from which we get the English word metamorphosis. What do you think of when you hear that word? Science and caterpillars changing into butterflies. What an amazing occurance! Just like a caterpiller doesn't go into the cacoon and put on a butterfly suit, our transformation is not just an outward change or a deliberate effort to stop conforming to worldly behaviors and actions but rather it is an inward change of attitude, motives, and desires that occurs only by the power of Christ through the Holy Spirit in us. However, it will be made evident through our behaviors and actions as we die to self and give up the desire to be our own boss and ask for God to change us, welcoming the work of the Holy Spirit. Transformation by God happens in us, it can be seen through us, but it isn't just for us. It is to glorify God and to reveal Christ to others both in and outside of the body of believers.

I will give you several examples from my own life, not because these examples are either uniquely qualified or better than anyone else's, but rather because I am most familiar with how God has changed me personally. Christ first revealed Himself to me through others in a business setting. These were women who had already experienced and were showing evidence of transformation, and it drew me to rededicate my life to Christ. Through this same business He brought me opportunities to practice public speaking. Previous to this the thought of speaking in front of groups made me sick to my stomach. He turned this seemingly mundane skill into a passion and ability to share God's word and it is the reason I can stand before you today. Another coworker spent time telling me about her passion for working with youth and God used her testimony to reveal how He would call me to serve.

During a recent time of prayer God showed me a vision that I want to share with you. I saw endless shelves filled with white boxes, like gift boxes. Out of each could be seen all different colors of tissue paper. On each was a name. Your name, another name, my name...for every person He has created. They are priceless gifts, purchased by Christ's sacrifice, and ready to be accepted. Many of you have already received the first part of the gift, salvation through Christ's death and resurrection, but many think that is all that's inside. The rest of the gift is the day-by-day power and transformation by the Holy Spirit by which God desires to make us into the image of Christ.

II Corinthians 3:18 says "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". What an amazing offer, to be transformed into the likeness of Christ, reflecting ever increasing glory! God's word also tells us "All things work to good for those who love God and are called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). Given such amazing promises from God, why do we resist transformation after our salvation experience? Ignorance, fear, self-will, difficulty letting go of control, sin and doubt that gets a grip on us, the discomfort of discipline, arrogance, and disliking change are some of the reasons. Interestingly enough, all these things exist in life whether we walk with God trusting in His power or try to go it alone. We still have some fun times, difficult times, and an abundance of mundane, regular, boring, everyday times. Christ stated "In this world you will have trouble; but take heart, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). I would rather do life with His power than without, wouldn't you? When we seek first God's kingdom He uses every part of our lives, every circumstance, every relationship, for His work of transformation. It is not that the work occurs from the outside but that the outside conditions prompt, test, make visible and perfect our transformation. God makes Himself known to and through us in our daily situations. Our fears are unfounded; He will not make us into something we don't recognize. Just like Saul who became the apostle Paul, God took the qualities Saul already possessed and used them to His purpose, then he transformed hatred into love and self-righteousness into humility. God did not make a mistake when He made us initially. We can trust the work He will do.

I used to think that the spiritual "high places" were the only real moments of revelation and transformation. I longed for the highs of a retreat or special event and had a hard time readjusting afterwards. As I've grown in my faith I have found Christ more visible in the dark times. I am not yet to the place where I raise my hand and ask God to "bring it on" but I have come to where I dread difficulty or sorrow less and anticipate seeing Christ more clearly through challenges. Now I feel God is trying to teach me to know Him most in the mundane, to press on, to persevere through the ordinary, the repetitive, the seemingly unimportant and witness His activity in my circumstances. I'm just beginning to understand this is where He does a lot of our transforming work.

The final place where God's word speaks of metamorphoo seems surprising. In Matthew 17:1-2 we read "After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light". The final piece of our transformation will be transfiguration! While we do not know the exact details, the apostle John tells us in I John 3:2 "Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he [Christ] appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is". God desires we should be like Christ and will give us everything we need to be fully changed. I encourage you to accept the gift that is waiting for you. Allow God to do this work of transformation in your life!

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