Internal / External Transformation

Scripture: Romans 12:2 | Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

A goat wanted more than anything else in the world to be a lion. He told himself that if he could learn to walk like a lion, talk like a lion, and go where lions go, he would be a lion.  So he practiced walking through the jungle and tried to swish his stubby little tail majestically.  Then he sought to turn his pitiful little bleat into the deep, awesome roar of the king of beasts.  He worked and worked on it.  Finally he convinced himself that he really looked and sounded like a lion.  “Now,” he said, “all I have to do to be a lion is go where lions go.” So he marched into lion territory one day about lunchtime.  You can imagine what happened!  A goat is still a goat no matter how hard it tries to be something else because it was born a goat.  When we were unbelievers we

There are those who think that because they’ve learned to walk, talk, and act like Christians, they really are.  They put forth a valiant effort with inexhaustible disciplines to secure the right look and the right speech, seeking to blend in with authentic believers wherever they congregate.  They foolishly convince themselves that because they have mastered exterior performances and appearances that they must be authentic.  What they fail to understand about Christianity is that life transformation begins with the Spirit of Christ within the heart of the individual at the moment of salvation through a new birth.  This new birth is synonymous with the work of regeneration that happens simultaneous with salvation.

Jesus has a late night conversation with a man named Nicodemus who had spent a lifetime seeking external conformity without an internal transformation or rebirth.  Nicodemus was so desperate to be set free from His masquerade, empty religious traditions and inconsistent effort to attain perfection that he was willing to risk everything.  Jesus knowing his lifelong struggle with self-righteousness says to Nicodemus that “unless someone is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God” (Jn.3:3).  Seeking clarification Nicodemus asks; “How can a man be born when he is old?  Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!”  Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again” (Jn.3:5-7).

Our new birth as believers is brought into reality by a gracious act of God.  “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph.2:4-10).  Our new birth as believers is brought into reality by a sovereign act of God.  For “all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God’ (Jn.1:12-13).  The result of our new birth is a transformed life.  “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come” (2Cor.5:17).  Once we receive our new birth, we begin the lifelong process of being continually transformed by God into the image of Christ (Gal.4:19; Col.3:10).  “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2Cor.3:18)  We now have a hope and an expectation that this transformation will continue throughout our life’s journey,  for “he who began a good work in us will be faithful to complete it” (Phil.1:6)  “When He appears, we will be like Him” (1Jn.3:3)

Life App:

1. God is the only one who can cause spiritual rebirth/transformation
2. My new birth/continual transformation is a direct result of God’s grace
3. My new birth/continual transformation is a sovereign work of God
4. God is consistently/continuously move toward Christ likeness

Prayer:

1. Lord, I commit to your gracious/sovereign work of transformation
2. Transform my life from performance/empty traditions/self-righteousness
3. Lord Jesus I want to become like You – Transform me – change me

~ by docboz on 01/10/2012.