Good morning transformed one!
I love the word TRANSFORMATION! In our English language, this word implies a make over, a conversion, a reconstruction, a remodeling, being renewed, revamped, revolutionalized, turning over a new leaf and the like. The word TRANSFORMATION in the Bible means metamorphosis, like a catapillar into a butterfly. As a matter of fact, 2 Corinthians 5:17 says,
- If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation (a new species of being); old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
We’re not just revamped or remodeled, like putting a face lift on a house ~ we’re brand new creations in Christ Jesus.
When we prayed to receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we were regenerated, or reborn, with God’s life to become children of God. We were reborn with the divine life of God within. This life transformed us into the image of Christ.
Do you remember when Jesus went up on the mountain with Peter, James, and John and was transfigured? Matthew 17:1 says,
- Now after six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.
This word transfigured is the same word as in 2 Corinthians 5:17 when we are born again. As we behold him through prayer, the study of His Word and through praise and worship, the Holy Spirit transforms us into His image.
2 Corinthians 3:16-18 says that as we look into the glass (or the mirror) of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit changes us into the very image we are beholding. That’s why Romans 12:2 (NLT) says,
- Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
Renewing our minds to the Word of God will transform our thinking to think like God thinks. We’ll be transfigured, transformed, and changed into His image. Isaiah 55:8-9 says,
- “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.”
We must consistently renew our minds with the Word of God so that we won’t be conformed to this world, but transformed into the image and likeness of God our Father. We’re to be imitators of Him as dear children.
When we’re renewed in the spirit of our minds (Ephesians 4:23-24) and put on our new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness, we won’t have to consciously think about our reactions. We’ll just react acording to the Word of God automatically.
Let’s decide today that we’re going to renew our minds to the Word of God and be transformed into His image and likeness, not just for a few days or weeks, but as a lifelong process. A process where we’re doing it all the time so the impact can get to the spirit of our minds and now loving becomes an automatic thing because the spirit of your mind has been renewed to walk in love.
Let’s condition our minds to forgive every day, so when somebody hurts us, we’ve already been trained to forgive.
I thank God for His Word where I can renew my mind and I know you do too! Let’s always be in a process of improving our lives by replacing negative strongholds with the Word of God. When the Word of God becomes the stronghold in the spirit of your mind, you won’t have to even consciously think about what the Word of God says ~ it’ll just come out.
I exhort you to read, study, and meditate on His Word. Pray at all times with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit. Worship and praise Him. Thank Him instead of complaining, and honor Him by acknowledging Him in all your ways. You are created in His image and likeness!
Being transformed by Jesus,
Lisa Gordon
Assistant Pastor
Jesus City Church