2 CORINTHIANS 3:18 – 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.”

THEME OF THE DAY:  THE CHRISTIAN LIFE: ALL ABOUT TRANSFORMATION.  Let’s face it. Human beings are somewhat resistant to change.  We like the familiar. We like routines.  I said “somewhat” because we are not always resistant to change.  We like some change, comfortable change that is, like vacations, change of scenery, or something as small as changing furniture.  But, big changes, like a job or having to relocate might not be embraced with great levels of enthusiasm, especially when there is emotional pain involved.

There is another area of change that might not be easily embraced at first.  Eventually it will be for the Lord will get us there. And with this change, pain is involved emotionally, spiritually, and perhaps physically.  It is change we might call “The Christian Life” because that is what the Christian life is all about – change or transformation into the image of the Lord Jesus.  Such transformation is what God has called us to – For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers (Romans 8:29).

In this work of transformation into the image of Christ, it isn’t about externals.  Jerry Bridges explains in his excellent book The Transforming Power of the Gospel. He writes, “The transformation process the Bible describes is much more than a change of conduct or improved human morality; it is actually a work of the Holy Spirit in the very core of our being.”  And what is this change if it is not external? It is character in the place Bridges calls “the very core of our being: – our real self; and it is the character of the Lord Jesus defined by the Apostle Paul in what is familiar to us – the Fruit of the Spirit – But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).

So, do we have a part in this change or transformation?  Yes, though we are the objects of change, it is God’s Spirit who is the change agent as the Apostle Paul reminds us in today’s scripture.  However, also in today’s scripture, we have a part – beholding the glory of the Lord.  What does that mean and how does that occur?  The “what” is our coming to the Lord in His Word and prayer to know Him; to be exposed to His glorious Person.  The “how” is defined in better words than mine by Bridges in his book I mentioned in the previous paragraph.  He writes, “We do have an active role to play in this process. All the moral exhortations and commands in the New Testament assume our responsibility to respond to them.”  Simply put the “how” of transformation is our obedience to God’s Word.

The Christian life; it is all about transformation.  Let’s ask God to help us embrace the change.  After all, that is what He is doing in our lives. May we be submissive and cooperative even when it hurts!

PRAYER: “Father, I praise You for Your unfailing commitment to change me to be like Your Son.”

QUOTE: “Don’t resist change.  Embrace it.  The whole of the Christian life is change.”

In the affection of Christ Jesus,

Pastor Jim