Transformation
Romans 12:2. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.
One of the most amazing things about our walk with God is the ability to change. To literally grow out of what we were, into what God has called us to be. The idea of transformation can feel like a big undertaking. But God tells us in His word that He is changing us from the inside out. The definition of transformation is metamorphosis. Transform refers to the process that leads to an outward, permanent change, and the change of form or shape.
I’m thankful that God made provision for us to be able to change. I don’t have the power within myself to transform, and yet I have the ability to look more and more like Him as I go through this journey.
When we say yes to Jesus and surrender every area of our life to Him, that is step one on our transformative journey with Christ. It can be difficult to give our pain, disappointments, sinful habits and even our questions to God. It’s hard to believe we can become truly free and live without the things we’ve been battling for much of our lives.
And, although we will still fall short, God has a plan to redeem all that has been broken. He can resurrect unfulfilled dreams, give us beauty for ashes and break the power of sin and addiction. This is the real picture of transformation!
How do we do this? We take in His word. We hold firm to the promises of God, replacing lies and old ways of thinking. We use the word of God as a weapon—speaking it out loud as we take a stance of faith in God. We do not allow our emotions to decide our direction, but instead trust what God has said. We yield to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to work in us.
Before long, our thoughts change, and faith comes alive in our heart. The transforming power of His Spirit begins to affect real, lasting change on the inside!
We are not called to fit into the culture, but rather to reflect the kingdom of heaven. I encourage you today to surrender to the Lord. Bring Him the areas that weigh you down. Give him your struggle, ask Him what your next step is and trust Him to change you from the inside out. God is working in you today, and He will not fail!
By Pastor Clarice Green