One of the important aspects of Christianity is the transformation that occurs in our lives when we become a follower of Jesus Christ.
Our natural course of action is to be disobedient to God. Ephesians 2:1-3 “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” We conformed ourselves to the ways of the world. The word “conform” implies fitting into a pattern or mold. We were motivated by the same selfish desires that others of the world had. 1 John 2:16 “For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.”
But when we become a follower of Jesus Christ, we transform – we change. In some people, this transformation is very dramatic. The drug addict stops using drugs. The homosexual no longer has relations with someone of the same sex. The adulterer stops committing adultery. The liar now only tells the truth. In the Bible we have the example of Saul who was persecuting and giving consent to the death of Christians. When he became a follower of Jesus Christ he stopped his rebellious ways and began preaching the good news about Jesus. The transformation is like that of the caterpillar that becomes a butterfly through metamorphosis.
The change in your life and my life may or may not be as dramatic as the change in Saul who became the Apostle Paul. Still, the change must be there for all of us. It is the action of being born again. Jesus was talking to Nicodemus – John 3:3-8 “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’’” The transformation is also described as a death and a new life. Romans 6:1-4 “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Through God’s grace, you and I must be transformed. 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.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 “As obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, ‘Be holy, for I am holy.’”
Be transformed! Pray for God’s power within you to complete this transformation.