TRANSFORMATION

Last week we looked at King Saul's life when Samuel anointed him to be the first king of Israel.  In that process, Samuel said to Saul:  [I Samuel 10:6  NIV]

The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you in power, and you will prophesy...and you will be changed into a different person.

What an unusual thing to say!  "You will be changed into a different person."  How?  Why?  Three verses later the biblical record records these words:

As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart...

I made a note in my Bible about this:

It seems important to realize at this point that God chose a good man with great potential.  God made an investment in human free will.  It would be Saul's choices that would bring his downfall.

In our New Testaments we find some verses that shed light on this subject.

Romans 12:2 (NASB)

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. 

 Ephesians 4:23-24  (NASB)

...that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth. 

[verses 25-32 are so important to read because they describe what this renewed life will look like in VERY practical terms!] 

We're actually talking about a very familiar word here that most of us will remember from our high school science class days:  METAMORPHOSIS! 

Yep!  What happens to that caterpillar inside the cocoon!  A transformation takes place that is EXTRAORDINARY!  An ugly worm is transformed into a beautiful butterfly!  That which was restricted to crawling around on leaves can now FLY!!!!!

This is analogous to what happens to our lives when we present our bodies as living and holy sacrifices to God [Romans 12:1].

The term metamorphoo is found four times in the New Testament.  We've looked at one in Romans 12:2.  Two more are in the Transfiguration account where God's glory shone THROUGH Jesus - not on Him!  The fourth is in II Corinthians 3:18,  [NASB]

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 from the Lord, the Spirit.  

OK, Hal, so what does this all mean?

It's quite simple, really.  It simply means that when we open our lives completely to God, He changes us dramatically!  We begin a process of taking on His character.  The things that used to be important to us, may not any longer be so important.  We begin to love the things and people He loves!  Our priorities change! 

Think of the dramatic change that takes place in that worm!  That's the picture!  Maybe we all need to put pictures of worms and caterpillars on our mirrors and dashboards? 

God really can make that kind of change in your life - if you'll let Him!  I've seen it happen scores (if not hundreds) of times!  He's still transforming me!  PTL!  I think I've been one of His harder cases!  😂  Put your trust in Jesus and let Him begin the transformation now!  This simple prayer will put you on His path:

Lord Jesus, 

As of right now, I give You my life!  Begin to work Your transformation in my life!  I want to be a butterfly for You!  I surrender myself to the cocoon of Your will!  Amen.

ROMANS 12

You may not realize it, but Romans 12 is like a compilation of scriptures from all through the Word of God.  My personal study Bible has more notations of comparative scriptures than probably any other chapter of the Bible!   [Get a cross-reference Bible and check it out!]

If you haven't read it in a while, this chapter is full of practical advice and encouragements.  In my opinion, it's the Apostle Paul's magnum opus!  It makes you feel so hopeful to read his exhortations!

As I was reading this chapter this morning, I noticed an assignment that I had given myself at some time in the past. 

So, I decided today was the day to fulfill that assignment.  Sometimes it helps se to see something arranged a little differently.  Maybe this will impact you today?  Here we go:

DO:
Make your love sincere
Hate what is evil
Cling to what is good
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love
Honor one another above yourself
Keep your spiritual fervor
Be joyful in hope
Be patient in affliction
Be faithful in prayer
Share with God's people who are in need
Practice hospitality
Bless those who persecute you
Rejoice with those who rejoice
Mourn with those who mourn
Live in harmony with one another
Be willing to associate with people of low position
Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone
Live at peace with everyone
If your enemy is hungry, feed him;  if he is thirsty, give him something to drink
Overcome evil with good

DON'T:
Be lacking in zeal
Be proud
Be conceited
Repay anyone evil for evil
Take revenge
Be overcome by evil

Kind and Gracious God,

This is quite a list that the great Apostle Paul has given us through Your Spirit!  Taken individually, not one of them is really hard.  But the list - as a whole - is overwhelming to us.  

We could only accomplish this kind of life with the constant help of Your Holy Spirit!  Fortunately, You stand ready to help us every minute of every day - and are especially near when the going gets tough [which is now for many people].  

Stand by our side and walk with us through these challenging days!  We want our lives to be 100% pleasing to You!  For Jesus' sake.  Amen.