We’ve taken a few weeks off from the Ways of God series (to introduce our new book, The Storms Have Only Just Begun), so let me briefly review our primary assertions.

First, God has a way for everything.

God has a way for disciplining our children, running a business, operating a church, and hundreds of other big things we (individually and corporately) are responsible for in this life. God’s ways are above our own (Isaiah 55:9), and more so in the big things.

Second, God’s way is always the best way.

The ways of God guide the application of His truths in our daily lives. Therefore, it is imperative that we understand the ways of God and their relationship with His foundational truths. Otherwise, we will find ourselves applying the truth within the ways and doctrines of man, making them “of no value (Colossians 2:21-23)”.

Lastly, chaos and storms heighten the necessity and benefit of doing things God’s way.

God gives us a way to navigate chaos and ensure our houses stand in the storms of life. Doing things God’s way ensures we find the center of His will and protection. Doing things God’s way ensures we make the most of trial, tribulation, affliction, and persecution – for God’s glory and our maturity.

Now, let’s take a look at God’s way for our maturity as Christians.

Maturity by Transformation

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Corinthians 3:18

Early in my faith walk with Jesus, I heard preachers and teachers equate Christian maturity to other people “seeing more of Jesus in our lives”. It sounded great, but I had no idea what they were talking about. How do I do that? What does that look like?

I am sure someone must have encouraged me to ask myself, “What would Jesus do?” That just led to more questions: How should I know? Who else do I ask? What if I don’t have time to hear, understand, and respond appropriately?

Eventually, I learned that only Jesus could do what Jesus would do. For people to see more of Jesus, I had to get out of the way. As you might expect, that realization created a crisis of faith in my life. It was no longer okay to be a good and moral person, trusting that Jesus’ death would get me into heaven. Standing at the cross is not the same as joining Jesus on it.

For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. Mark 8:35

Determining to die so that I might have life opened up heaven to me. With the help of several teachers and disciple makers, I began to understand the mysteries of “in Christ” and the exchanged life (Galatians 2:20). This ultimately led to the discovery of 2Corinthians 3:18 and transformation.

The revelation of God’s way for my maturity as a Christian astounded me and propelled my walk with the Lord. Finally, I understood the mystery behind God’s way for our maturation as Christians – that others might see more of Jesus in us. That mystery is metamorphoō, my favorite Greek word.

Metamorphoō: to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure; Christ’s appearance was changed and was resplendent with divine brightness on the mount of transfiguration. BlueLetterBible.com Outline of Biblical Usage

Our God, creator of the Greek language and the New Testament, chose to use metamorphoo in four strategic verses. A quick study of these reveals God’s purpose and plan for allowing and creating storms and chaos in our lives. In addition to 2Corinthians 3:18, we have:

Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. Matthew 17:1-2 (Mark 9:2-3 records the same event.)

God could have chosen several other words, including “glorified”, to describe this event. It is no coincidence, and no small matter, that He uses metamorphoo to describe both our transformation and Jesus’ transfiguration.

What exactly does this mean for us? To understand, we turn to a familiar passage:

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7, NASV

Notice that Jesus “emptied Himself” when He was made into the likeness of men. So, what did Peter, James, and John see when the Son of Man was transfigured? They saw the glory of His Heavenly Father; He said as much to Phillip.

Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?” John 14:9

What the disciples saw in Jesus every day, Peter, James, and John were blessed to see in its full manifestation on the Mount of Metamorphoo. They saw the glory of the Father. With that in mind, consider the same metaphysical relationship between the Father, His Son, and the remainder of God’s children.

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

Notice that the command here is not “do good works”, but “let your light shine”. What is that light?

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4

Jesus is the light we are commanded to let shine (not make shine; an important distinction). Consider further who is glorified by the light men see in “your good works”. Would our just and loving Father take the glory of someone else’s work, or the credit for their light? Of course not! The good works must be His, as well as the light that was the life in Jesus. Jesus’ prayer for those who would come after His disciples affirms this supernatural relationship.

And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. John 17:22-23

By coming to live in us, Jesus brings the glory of the Father with Him. As we are transformed, from glory to glory, people will see the good works created for us to walk in as the work of the Father. Now get this, the glory that the Father gave to His Son, which His Son has given to us, will be returned to the Father. THAT is why we submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit’s transformational power.

Chaos and Caterpillars

Consider the ugly, leaf-bound, and leaf-eating caterpillar who metamorphoos into a beautiful, free-flying, and nectar-eating butterfly. Trusting in the process, the caterpillar dies to his old ways and form, to become a glorious new form of God’s creation.

Similarly, God will use the chaos of this decade to dramatically transform the individuals, families, and fellowships who keep their eyes focused on the Lord and their minds set on things above. This transformation is “by the Spirit of the Lord”. In other words, the Holy Spirit is our transformer.

Metamorphoo offers a perfect word picture for the process God employs to mature us as Christians. Anyone who has ever seen the inside of a cocoon knows what a mess it is for an ugly caterpillar to become a beautiful butterfly.

Our response to this work will require leaving something behind. Many times, it is security, long held beliefs, routines, even people and places we have grown to love. Rarely does this call not involve a dying to ourselves. And so, there must be grieving – something best done with others.

It will help us (and those we love) to remember that chaos is normal for every Christian committed to following Jesus Christ. Almost every book in the New Testament promises it. Our ability to avoid most of it (up to now) does not negate this truth.

Furthermore, sacrifice marked the life of Jesus, Who sent us as the Father sent Him (John 20:21). As He did with His son, our Father in heaven has great purpose for the chaos He introduces or allows into our lives.

Next time, we will explore that purpose and discover how we participate in the Holy Spirit’s work for our transformation – God’s way for our maturity. In the meantime, explore this matter of transformation with Them and the Lord. Here’s a couple of questions that should help.

What person in Christ do you desire to be? What does becoming a butterfly look like in your life?

God bless you with grace and courage to embrace the Transformer’s way for your maturity in Christ.

Have a strong day in the Lord,

Rob (#iamjustthepen)