In Part 1, we learned that God’s way for Christian maturity is metamorphoō, or transformation, found in 2Corinthians 3:18.
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
Metamorphoō offers a perfect word picture for the process God employs to mature us as Christians. The ugly, leaf-bound, and leaf-eating caterpillar – trusting in God’s process – dies to his old ways and form to become a beautiful, free-flying, and nectar-eating butterfly.
Additionally, we learned that transformation is “by the Spirit of the Lord” – that He is our Transformer. Here, we learn how to participate in His work, by exploring the fourth and final use of metamorphoō.
Forcing a Decision
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. Romans 12:2
God will continue to use the storms and chaos of the 2020s to challenge our allegiances and expose our idols. We will be forced to choose between two radically different paths: conformity to the world, or transformation by the renewing of our minds. Forcing the choice is the loving grace of our Father in heaven, Who knows the dire consequences of our loitering around at the crossroads.
Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?”
And He said to them, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:23-24
Many will not enter the kingdom for lack of striving. Others will miss incredible opportunities to experience God’s glorious presence in their kingdom assignments for fear of the difficult way (Mattew 7:14). In either case, it is imperative that we submit to the Holy Spirit’s work for our transformation into mature Christians.
The key to knowing “that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” is the renewing of our mind. The renewal process plays a critical role in bridging the gap between hearing the word of God and walking in His good works – from the hearing of faith to the work of faith. We are transformed (metamorphoo’ed) by the Holy Spirit through the renewing of our minds.
This leads to a critical question: How do we participate with the Holy Spirit in His work?
Reckoning the Truth
Our participation with the Holy Spirit begins and depends on our intentional and diligent reckoning of God’s truth and reality. There is no more important time for this than in the storms and chaos of this life.
Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:11
My searching out this matter led me to God’s simple but profound meaning for “reckon”.
Logizomai: to reckon, count, compute, calculate, count over (metaph. to pass to one’s account, to impute).
In secular Greek, logizomai is an accounting term, meaning “to pass to one’s account” – something like an accountant balancing the books. Applied spiritually, reckoning is making true for oneself what God says is true – balancing my understanding of truth and reality with His. Indeed, one might argue that it is laying hold of (or accessing) the mind of Christ.
Now, it is no small matter that logizomai appears in Scripture over forty times. Here are a few enlightening examples:
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 1Corinthians 13:11
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
God is using the storms and chaos of this decade to challenge our thinking. He will use the chaos and storms to dramatically transform the individuals, families, and fellowships who keep their eyes focused on the Lord and their minds set on things above. The Holy Spirit waits for God’s people to submit to His transforming – metamorphoo’ing – work.
In summary, God’s way for Christian maturity is not complicated, nor is it difficult. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit have committed to the lion’s share of the work (e.g., Philippians 2:12-13). However, we must participate with them; resistance and passivity will leave us loitering at the gate or wandering off the way.
God’s way for our maturity as Christians simply requires our:
- Committing to God’s way.
- Beholding the Lord.
- Deliberately dying to self.
- Submitting to the Holy Spirit’s work.
- Striving to enter through the narrow gate.
- Reckoning the truths we know and discover.
- Encouraging others to go with us (community will be critical in the chaos of this decade).
Lastly, those of us called to lead are blessed with the opportunity to be the vessel and instrument of God for the metamorphoo of those in our spheres of influence. Our only responsibility is to choose to participate in the work God is doing.
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)