During most of my career in the Information Technology industry, I worked on the development and implementation of new systems. As it is with all new technology, training can be a challenge. Surprisingly, learning new tools and processes is not the highest hurdle, but unlearning and letting go of what you already know and have been practicing for years.

Learning new things often requires us to unlearn or let go of the old. The same is true for our maturity as Christians. Growing spiritually is not simply a matter of adding new information or things to do. In fact, God has gone to great lengths to help us understand that maturing spiritually begins, continues, and ends in the death of ourselves.

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20

I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 1Corinthians 15:31

It is only natural to think of growth as an additive process. If we were not aware of the supernatural realm, this idea of death leading to maturity would make no sense at all. And who wants to think – or teach – about death anyway. Such thinking and teaching just doesn’t fit our cultural norms and goals.

So, perhaps slowly over time, we Christians have generally come to think of spiritual maturity as an additive process: worship more, serve more, study more, do more. Of course, all these things are good, but only as long as adding more does not give one a false sense of spiritual growth. And that’s exactly why God created the Greek language and used metamorphoo to describe His process for spiritual maturity (i.e., transformation).

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

God also created the caterpillar, the butterfly, and the natural process by which one becomes the other. For those of you who have never seen the inside of a cocoon, it is an ugly mess in there. Open one up and you will not see the caterpillar growing cute little wings, antennae, and a proboscis. No, the caterpillar essentially dies so it might become a new creature. In fact, it is transformed all the way down to its DNA.

If the caterpillar refuses the death and chaos of transformation, it will die as a caterpillar – no wings, no interesting looking antennae, no nectar. It will die a dishonorable life, eating bitter leaves, and freaking out little girls. Accept death, and it becomes the joy and wonder of children everywhere and the subject of wonderful art. Which life would you choose?

Fortunately, God does not put us through the same natural process He created for caterpillars and butterflies. Our transformation is both supernatural and natural, and more of the former than the latter. Moreover, our transformation is iterative – happening in stages throughout our lives – and, like salvation, transformation is a lifelong process.

Transformation is one of the great mysteries of the kingdom of God. He has made it the centerpiece of our ministry and writing; and He continues to show us more. Recently, we published two articles you will find interesting: one describing the application of transformation in marriages, families, fellowships, companies, etc., and another listing the principles of transformation discovered over twenty years of ministry.

Getting back to the focus of this article: True transformation does not, cannot, happen without unlearning, leaving behind, and/or the death of something that has become a part of who we are. Being humans and not caterpillars, those are choices we must force ourselves to make.

And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it— So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple. Luke 14:27-28, 33

In closing, let me be frank. There are many Christian leaders offering a cheaper and more worldly prosperous gospel. While it is true that our investments in the kingdom of God produce wonderful returns, the minimal required investment is our life.

God bless you with wisdom and courage to forsake all for the Life He offers.

Have a strong day in the Lord,

Rob

#iamjustthepen