“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…” (Romans 12:2). As you can see from this scripture we have 2 statements – to not be conformed and to be transformed. However, this is what we do. A magic wand is not waved over our heads so that we automatically are transformed.
So why is transformation important? Simple – so you can live proactive in the world rather than reactive. And exactly what is transformation? This transformation is exciting. 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us that, “…we are being transformed into the same image (of the Lord) by the spirit of the Lord.” This is a process (verse 18 – from glory to glory) that we become involved in.
We learn in Corinthians that when we make Jesus the Lord of our life that we are born anew and become an entirely new creation. Amplifying this, Ephesians 4:23 says, “…and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness.” Colossians 3 specifies that we are to put off the old man – anger, wrath, malice, etc. And we are to put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him. None of that is automatic – it becomes a conscious act that we engage in.
Once started you never finish – there is no ‘made it’ in transformation. You’ll never run out of ways to grow. One of the main questions is: are you in charge of your own transformation. Remembering that nothing stays the same, do you let the vagaries of life to dictate who you are and who you are becoming. Or… do you work with and trust the Holy Spirit to help you make the changes you need to be transformed?
