Transformation

Do you remember the Transformers film series where cars transform into robots with various combative skills? Well, that is nothing compared to what will finally happen when we who love Jesus complete our change to the image and glory that is the Lord’s.  The Apostle Paul gives us a preview of what will come in his letter to the Corinthians.

​Meditation
2 Corinthians 3:17,18--Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
 
If you believe in transformation, you cannot live in desperation. There is no hesitation or trepidation for what is to come. Yes, we are seeing evil increase like never before. Does this mean that the earth’s inhabitants are eviler?  Not hardly.  We can hear and see more of what is happening because of the internet, television, and smart devices powered by sophisticated technology that allows communication to proliferate like never before. Long ago, God flooded the earth because of the universality of evil, so we are foolish if we think today is worse than any other time in history—it’s just more apparent.
           
Oswald Chambers taught in My Utmost for His Highest, “The first thing that happens after we have realized our election to God in Christ Jesus is the destruction of our prejudices and our parochial notions and our patriotisms; we are turned into servants of God’s own purpose.” The Spirit of God gives us freedom. It is not freedom to complain, judge, give up, or flee civilization (unless God specifically calls you to do so). The Holy Spirit gives us freedom to remove the veil preventing us from seeing and understanding God’s glory.  We are ignited to pursue His calling. His glory is the precursor of our glory. 

Right now, we are being transformed.  We know this to be true if we follow Christ because our attitude improves. Our character is changing so that sin becomes increasingly distasteful, and we find obeying God ever more appealing. Our faith surpasses our fears. Our joy transcends failure, pain, and setbacks. People around us cannot help but be inspired or offended by the Jesus they see changing us.

“The proof that God has altered our disposition is not that we persuade ourselves He has, but that we prove He has when circumstances put us to the test.”[1] Transformation is a gift of incalculable grace. We don’t deserve it. We didn’t earn it. Thank God we experience it! 
 
Inspiration
“‘Be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed’—we are subject to a transforming influence, we do not transform ourselves.”—Henry Drummond in The Greatest Thing In The World
 
©2024 Daniel York  ARR.  Reveration is the weekly devotional ministry of First Cause.  To receive these devotionals, go to www.firstcause.org and click the “Click here to receive weekly devotionals” box.  Unlimited permission to copy this devotional without altering text or profiteering is allowed, subject to the inclusion of this copyright notice.     
 
Ecclesiastes 12:10-The Teacher sought to find delightful sayings and to accurately write words of truth.  (Holman CSB)
 


[1]Chambers, O. (1929). 4th Edition. Studies in the sermon on the mount. Oswald Chambers Publications Association.