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Christian Transformation – Week 18 / April 29th
“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
A. The Need for transformation
The rebellion of humankind against God brought awful consequences to the human race. (Romans 3:23) We became “fallen beings” with evil and darkened imaginations (Ephesians 4:17-19) and hearts that are desperately sick and wicked above all things. (Jeremiah 17:9) There is therefore no such thing, in God’s sight, as the goodness of men and women. (Romans 3:10-18)
B. The grounds of transformation
Is the cross of Jesus only for by it, and it alone, we have:
1. The removal of the curse of God from over our lives. (Galatians 3:10-14)
2. The removal of our sins. (1John 2:2)
3. The removal of our sin. ( Romans 5:10)….and,
4. The removal of our alienation from God. (2corinthians 5:18)
C. The nature of transformation
A Christian is one who picks up his or her cross daily and follows Jesus. (Matthew 16:24-27)This cross is the crucifixion of our wicked ways. We must therefore allow the powerful life of Jesus to fully invade our hearts and lives and we declare that this is so when we take communion. (1Corinthians 11:27-31) Paul here reminds us that, to claim a Christian experience and testimony without living out its reality is an affront to God and an insult to the cross and for this reason some Christians are weak in body, sick and have even passed away prematurely!!
D. The mechanics of transformation
Transformation takes place in our lives when we repent or change our minds. (Romans 12:1-2) Our minds control our emotions and our emotions control our actions. So, whatever or whoever gets control of your mind will control you. (2Peter 2:19) This is why scripture exhorts us to not let the sun go down on our anger. (Ephesians 4:26) If you prolong a sense of wrong done to you, you will feed your emotions in a way that your response may be sinful. Scripture commands us to change all the time and this by the renewing of our minds. (Ephesians 4:20-24) It is vitally important that you train your mind to shun evil and focus upon those things that are good and holy. (Colossians 3:1-3; 1Peter 1:13) In other words, do what you cannot do and God will do it for you!
Transformation is foundational to the Christian experience because it enables us to share in the holiness of Jesus. Without this holiness we shall not see God! (Hebrews12:14)
Malcolm Hedding
©Malcolm Hedding Ministries
2013Devotional Blog