Can we change? To transform means to change, to become different or alter (make different). We alter or have a garment altered, but is it not the same garment still? The garment can be turned inside out and the evidence of the change may or may not be seen. Yet, its transformation may be so complete that it has become another garment, entirely. The transformation is more active, as is the righteousness of God. At salvation, He took off our rags of sin and put His garment of righteousness upon us. Is this garment visible to mankind? The physical garment can be put on and taken off at will, but God's righteousness is a permanent garment that engulfs us so tighly that it squeezes our "self" life out of us and nothing remains, but the life of Christ. Its force cannot be felt, but its impact reflects Christ to those around us.
In Romans 12:2 a & b “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,…” We are given specific instructions to not be like, resemble, identify with, or have the similar behavior of “this world”. Salvation was a free gift given to us, so we must make a choice to “present” ourselves back to God and allow Him to do His work in us. The “renewing” of our mind is our beginning point to strengthen us, as Christians. We become aware of the difference Christ has made within us and we desire to become new in our actions, attitudes, and behavior; however, many times this leads to external performance because we want those around us to “see” we are Christians. We may adopt and adapt to many legalistic practices and get caught up in “doing” instead of “being or becoming like Christ.” We are different from the world, yes, but it is not because of any effort on our part. Dr Wagner gave a theological pattern of “the already-not yet” principle, as our example… “we are (presently) already seated with Christ, in heaven, but we have not yet become all God wants us to be, in reality.”
Let’s think about the life of a silkworm and a caterpillar. These creatures grew and performed, as was expected of their nature. They wiggled, squiggled, and buried themselves in the dirt. Yet, a time came when they began climbing higher, on their own. They chose a twig or leaf, upon which to attach themselves. The silkworm spins its cocoon and the caterpillar encloses itself in its chrysalis. They were bound, entrapped, and in total darkness by their own doing, but their genetics would not allow this to continue very long. The transforming process is unseen to the eyes of the beholder, but when they emerge from the cocoon and chrysalis the transformation is very evident… nothing of the old creature resembles the new creature. They have wings that move, as if in praise to the Creator. They fly, soar, and experience new heights… no longer bound, trapped, or in darkness. Their true beauty is very evident to all. We can reflect upon the "past tense" verbs used in the paragraph and the incidences of limitation, but once the "transformation" took place... "they had become what they were intended to be" when they were created. They did not struggle or fight against the process, but yielded to their destiny.
This is how a Christian should be… not allowing the external/ “outside” circumstances to rule and reign in our lives, but embrace the internal work of the Holy Spirit … allow God to “work out” the new life within us.
In Romans 12:2 a & b “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind,…” We are given specific instructions to not be like, resemble, identify with, or have the similar behavior of “this world”. Salvation was a free gift given to us, so we must make a choice to “present” ourselves back to God and allow Him to do His work in us. The “renewing” of our mind is our beginning point to strengthen us, as Christians. We become aware of the difference Christ has made within us and we desire to become new in our actions, attitudes, and behavior; however, many times this leads to external performance because we want those around us to “see” we are Christians. We may adopt and adapt to many legalistic practices and get caught up in “doing” instead of “being or becoming like Christ.” We are different from the world, yes, but it is not because of any effort on our part. Dr Wagner gave a theological pattern of “the already-not yet” principle, as our example… “we are (presently) already seated with Christ, in heaven, but we have not yet become all God wants us to be, in reality.”
Let’s think about the life of a silkworm and a caterpillar. These creatures grew and performed, as was expected of their nature. They wiggled, squiggled, and buried themselves in the dirt. Yet, a time came when they began climbing higher, on their own. They chose a twig or leaf, upon which to attach themselves. The silkworm spins its cocoon and the caterpillar encloses itself in its chrysalis. They were bound, entrapped, and in total darkness by their own doing, but their genetics would not allow this to continue very long. The transforming process is unseen to the eyes of the beholder, but when they emerge from the cocoon and chrysalis the transformation is very evident… nothing of the old creature resembles the new creature. They have wings that move, as if in praise to the Creator. They fly, soar, and experience new heights… no longer bound, trapped, or in darkness. Their true beauty is very evident to all. We can reflect upon the "past tense" verbs used in the paragraph and the incidences of limitation, but once the "transformation" took place... "they had become what they were intended to be" when they were created. They did not struggle or fight against the process, but yielded to their destiny.
This is how a Christian should be… not allowing the external/ “outside” circumstances to rule and reign in our lives, but embrace the internal work of the Holy Spirit … allow God to “work out” the new life within us.
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