In Part 1, we shared nine propositions about transformation to encourage Christians to consider this biblical process as a corporate phenomenon. Here we look deeper, into the principles of transformation, to better understand how transformation may be applied to groups of all sizes. For your convenience, here are links to the previous articles in this series of Christian challenges:
What is the difference between sin, sins, and the sin?
How should Christians be thinking about this world?
Does the process of transformation apply to your spheres of influence?
While these articles stand well on their own, we believe the Holy Spirit intends for them to be read in sequence.
As you reflect on this article, please hold in your mind (i.e., re-mind yourself) the notion that transformation applies to groups as much as it does to individuals. The challenge is to think about the following principles as they relate to the spheres of influence God has entrusted to your care.
Principles Found in Transformation Passages
The Greek word metamorphoō – to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon (TGL)) – occurs four times in the New Testament.
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
“But we all” – Transformation is for every Christian (principle #1).
“With unveiled face” – When one turns to the Lord, the veil that once hid God’s glory from His people is no longer necessary (v. 16). This initial step of salvation is one of several prerequisites to transformation (#2).
“Beholding as in a mirror” – We find the glory of the Lord reflectively in the gospel and in other Christians. Consequently, we must look intently for His glory in the Bible and in those God has placed in our spiritual spheres of influence; another prerequisite (#3).
“Being transformed” – The Greek word for transformation suggests a messy and chaotic process of death and new life, requiring patience and persistence (#4).
“The same image” – We are not being transformed into the image of our pastor, or the one discipling us (#5).
“From glory to glory” – Transformation is a journey from an existing state of glory to a higher one (#6). Leaving the current state of glory will produce a normal, necessary, and helpful grief response. Failure to address the grief in a spiritually healthy way exposes us to continued and unnecessary longings for people, things, concepts, etc. that must be left behind (#7).
“By the Spirit of the Lord” – The Holy Spirit is our Transformer. Our responsibility is participation in His work. Therefore, it is critical that we know Him personally, that we submit to the work He desires to accomplish in us, and that we welcome His power in our lives. This is an often overlooked prerequisite to transformation (#8).
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
“Do not be conformed to the world, but” – Transformation stands opposed to conformity with the world – its systems, paradigms, measures, etc. The one seeking transformation must suspect and ultimately reject the things of this world (#9).
“Be transformed by the renewing of your mind” – The carnal mind is our #1 enemy. It is the mind of the Christian that needs renewal (a complete change for the better (TGL)), not his or her heart (#10). Our participation in the Holy Spirit’s work includes repentance (a change of one’s mind (TGL)) and reckoning (to account something (TGL)) (#11).
“That you may prove” – To recognize, approve, and deem the will of God worthy (TGL) is God’s purpose and promise in the renewal of our minds (#12). It is, in fact, a matter of our salvation (Matthew 7:21).
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 (also Mark 9:2)
“He was transfigured before them” – The glory produced by transformation is not a metaphor, but the physical, real, and material manifestation of God, the Father through the Son, through those who are (being) and have been transformed (#13).
How does our transformation result in God being glorified? Why is it important that all Christians pursue transformation?
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
“Let your light shine” – Jesus Christ is the light of men (John 1:4). Therefore, the result of transformation is the life of Jesus Christ shining before men; something we must allow (#14).
“That they may see your good works” – Jesus’ life in us is seen in good works (#15).
“And glorify your Father in heaven” – God is not a thief, who would take the glory of another for Himself. Good work is God’s work, and only ours through participation (#16).
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:8-10
“By grace you have been saved… for good works” – We were saved to walk in good works (#17).
“Not of works” – The works themselves are not for our salvation (#18).
“We are his workmanship, created” – We were created for this (#19).
“In Christ Jesus” – An important prerequisite (see John 15:4-5) (#20).
“Which God prepared beforehand” – God has a carefully conceived plan we must learn and follow it (#21).
“That we should walk in them” – Most translations say “do them;” this is incorrect. Again, good work is God’s work (repeat of #16).
Transformation Described in the Old Testament
The repetitive nature of transformation can be seen in the stages of our lives (e.g., college, career, marriage, child-rearing, grand-parenting, retirement). In each (and hundreds more) we discover a desire, navigate God’s preparation, and enjoy the fulfillment of His good work. The world offers a poor imitation, but in the kingdom, the process is literally glorious. Each iteration ends in a gloriously good work. Psalm 37 gives us a wonderful and exciting description of the transformation process.
Trust in the LORD, and do good;
Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness (v. 3).
Here we find several additional prerequisites for transformation: We must trust the LORD (#22), have a heart for goodness (#23), be a citizen of the kingdom (#24), and cherish His faithfulness (#25).
Delight yourself also in the LORD,
And He shall give you the desires of your heart (v. 4).
The Hebrew word translated here as “delight” literally means “to be soft (TGL),” like clay in the Potter’s hands (Isaiah 64:8). This has the same spirit as Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. Surrender to the LORD is another transformation prerequisite (#26).
“The desires of your heart” – also recognized as burdens or callings – come packaged in the new heart at rebirth (Ezekial 36:26) or may be deposited and stirred later, as the LORD determines. These desires, burdens, or callings motivate us into transformation for their eventual manifestation as good works (#27).
Commit your way to the LORD,
Trust also in Him,
And He shall bring it to pass (v. 5).
“Commit your way” – God has a way for everything. Transformation includes exchanging many of our ways for His. (#28).
“Trust also in Him” – The persistence of principle #22.
“He shall bring it to pass” – Again, it is His good work (#16).
He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
And your justice as the noonday. (v. 6).
This verse is the Old Testament version of Matthew 5:16 (principles 14-16). Jesus is our righteousness (1Corinthians 1:30) and our light (John 1:4). Importantly, our surrender, sacrifice, and submission will be vindicated for all to see (#29).
Additional Noteworthy Principles (Discovered in Practice)
- The transformation process requires and is synergistic with the process of faith (#30): the hearing of faith with discovering the desire of our hearts, obedience to the faith for our necessary transformation, and the work of faith being the good work in which we walk. Additionally, incremental opportunities to exercise and grow our faith are available during throughout the process (#31).
- As one might expect from a study of Isaiah 55:9 and Ephesians 3:20-21, God’s good work is rarely what we project it to be, in either form or magnitude (#32).
- Violating the transformation process, or God’s timing in it, is a practice in frustration (#33).
- There is a devil at every level (#34). Satan, knowing our willingness to leave the comfortable familiarity of our current state to navigate the chaos of transformation leads to God’s good and glorifying work, sets out to thwart our progress. We must not attempt navigation on our own (#35).
- Committing ourselves to God’s eternal purposes – reign, intimacy, habitation, and glory – ensures we find and maintain the center of God’s will in the journey (#36).
- Our surrender, sacrifice, and submission align with God’s purpose, plan, and power (#37).
- God is not time nor process bound; He does not have to wait for the completion of our transformation to begin involving us in His good work (#38).
- Knowing what we can bear, God may walk us through multiple transformations simultaneously (#39). For example, a transformation in one area may flow over into another; or, there may be nested transformations on different timelines. This becomes more pronounced within groups.
Addressing the Elephant in the Room
To consider and apply thirty-nine principles to one’s life, and to groups of various sizes, may overwhelm. Imagining the questions that might be going through someone’s head – Why make it so hard? Why not let transformation happen “naturally”? – here are some additional thoughts.
Processes are not made more or less difficult by their number of associated principles. In fact, without principles we would not know how to navigate successfully. However, there are two legitimate measures of difficulty found in transformation: the effort involved, and something like the discomfort generated. In my experience, most who express difficulty with transformation are responding to the discomfort they suspect it will generate in their lives. Simply stated, this cannot be mitigated with anything short of a refusal to respond.
Before refusing God’s invitation, one should consider (as we shared in Part One) that transformation is essentially the process God has given us to mature, sanctify, de-conform, and glorify His people (i.e., make disciples). Humans are “naturally” comfort loving, carnally minded, easily distracted creatures. Transformation requires discipline – something currently out of vogue in most Christian circles. Resistance has become our natural response to transformation.
God allows our refusal. However, He remains infinitely long-suffering and persistent. He will have His way by chastening, rebuking, and even scourging His children; this is an expression of His love (Hebrews 12:5). If we will not respond to His invitation for more glory, we will find our comfort zones increasingly uncomfortable, and then painful, until we are desperate to move.
Be encouraged; I have seen it more than a hundred times: Once someone steps across the threshold into the unknown, faith arises and grace takes hold. The Father is working in us (Philippians 2:13), Jesus has promised to make us (Mark 1:17), and the Holy Spirit is our Transformer (2Corinthians 3:18) and Comforter (John 14:16).
Where Do We Go from Here?
I suspect the Holy Spirit will want to continue this series of challenges, but for now I am being called back to the book project (A Christian Response to the Meaning Crisis). It occurs to me what a shame and disappointment it would be if this article became another information dump. There is much here to apply to our lives and the groups we hold dear. For what it is worth, I am doing so right now with the desires God has promised to give me. Please let me know if I can help you do the same.
Thank you for your attention to this matter. As always, please share your opinions, concerns, etc. And share this article with others. Storms and chaos are incredible opportunities for growth and influence.
God bless you with desire, vision, and courage for transformation of the groups entrusted to your care.
Have a strong day in the Lord,
Rob
#iamjustthepen