Posted: 2nd July, 2010

Metamorphosis

We have been talking about change, but not just any change. We have not been talking about simply change for the sake of change, nor have we been talking primarily about changing others. We have been talking, first and foremost, about bringing ourselves into line with the new people we are in Christ.

We have seen that until we learn how to think and act biblically, we are not going to be advancing in our life, nor seeing the biblical change in ourselves that we desire. So how do we do this? What does the Bible teach?

The best word I see in the Scriptures that describes this process of thinking and acting is the word transformation. In Romans 12:2, we are commanded: “Be ye transformed.” The idea is that we are to be changed from one person into another, from what we were as the old man to what we are as new men and women in Christ. Look at the context of those words:

“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 ‘logikos’, your reasonable, or logical, act of worship. 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 – that which is good, and pleasing and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2)

Personal transformation is the process of renewing our mind so that our life and behavior changes in every way that is necessary to allow us to do all that God calls us to. This is deep, lasting, personal transformation, because it comes from a renewed mind, a renewed way of thinking. We are to present ourselves, our bodies, as living sacrifices. We are to give up our bodies – that is, our lusts and those desires which are sinful – and replace them with what is “holy and pleasing to God.” We are to give up the vessels of the old life we once embraced and enjoyed in order to live the new life.

This process is called a ‘metamorphosis’ or ‘transformation’. This is personal. No one can do it for us. We, with God’s empowering, have to do it. This is transformational. Our minds and our lives are renewed. This is discipleship (which means to learn). We learn how to think and act and live this way.

By choosing this life, this way God calls us to live, we choose to wholeheartedly and diligently study the Scriptures AND consistently apply them to every aspect of our life – how we think, the decisions we make, what we say, and how we act. Remember: Discipleship is the process of renewing our mind so that our life and behavior changes in every way that is necessary to allow us to do all that God calls us to.

Will you choose biblical metamorphosis (transformation)? Will you choose life? Choose it and live (Deuteronomy 30:19).