"Be transformed by the renewing of your mind." (1) This is the scripture passage from Paul's letter to the Roman church that has continued to rattle around inside my head for the last 48 hours or so. What does transformation look like? What does it mean? What form(s) does it take on? To help flush out this idea in my mind, I turn to the literary definition first.
transform |transˈfôrm|
verb [ trans. ]
make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of : lasers have transformed cardiac surgery | he wanted to transform himself into a successful businessman.
• [ intrans. ] undergo such a change : an automobile that transformed into a boat.
• change the voltage of (an electric current).
• Mathematics change (a mathematical entity) by transformation. (2)
Now that's a mouthful, no?! It seems easy enough and yet we can make it so complex. To take it a step further, I sought another vantage point. Academia per my five year old boy.
One of my son, Kaedon's favorite movies in recent years is Transformers. When asked, his favorite part of the movie is, "Pretty much...how they shoot. Um. I also like how Bumble Bee is frozen at first, but then he breaks out and is changed and they win over the bad guys." (3)
Transformation is more than a Total Money Makeover (4) or being The Biggest Loser (5). Although these things are the end-goal, they themselves are not the means to an end. The transformation, while the results may produce fruit externally, must first begin internally - a process that begins with making a decision to be transformed - a process that begins in the mind.
So, what does this idea of transformation look like? Where and when does it begin?
We ask you to weight in...
(1) Romans 12:2 - NIV
(2) New Oxford American Dictionary
(3) Transformers; DreamWorks Pictures, 2007
(4) Total Money Makeover; Dave Ramsey
(4) The Biggest Loser; NBC Television
3 comments:
This is a passage of scripture that is the very essence I believe of genuine Christians.
Be not conformed. Do not lust after the things of this world, do not go after fame, fortune or status, because these things will pass away.
Peter said it pretty clearly in relating to being transformed:
"The world is passing away with it's lusts, but the one who does the Will of God abides forever."
So of course it is obvious that part of transformation is doing the Will of God instead of your own will. It's about acknowledging God for who He is: the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, who redeems mankind through His Son Jesus Christ. But here is a question that has really been on my mind for quite some time: how does that transformation happen? What takes place, and do we have any control over it or is it all a supernatural work of God?
Here's some Scripture to meditate on:
"4 But when d the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life." - Titus 3:4-7
By this passage, it seems to me that in order for us to believe in Jesus Christ and be saved, and thus, be transformed, God needs to first wash us through the the regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit before we can believe. And, if that is true, the "be not conformed, but be transformed" passage seems to be speaking to non-believers. The very words "be not conformed" seems to say that the very state of being conformed is present in whom the verse is addressed. Furthermore, John clearly states that whoever loves the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, the pride of life), the love of the Father is not in Him.
But, if God has regenerated us and renewed us, we are a new creature, the old has gone and the new has come; that is, we are given a new nature, we are dead to sin and alive in Christ.
Therefore, how can Paul tell us "Be not conformed, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" if that renewal happens by the Holy Spirit and is present in all believers who have put their faith in Christ and now have Christ living in them?
Or is this a broader passage that speaks of constantly seeking God in order to know Him more and more, and thus, constantly renewing our mind on a day to day basis?
I believe the former is the case. This does not mean that we never sin, for it is written "if anyone says he has no sin, he is a liar and the love of the Father is not in him", but when we do sin, the Father disciplines us as a father in the son in whom he delights. He will not let us go down the path of death, He will come for us, and put us back on the path of righteousness because of our new nature and his love for us.
Your thoughts on this?
Here's something to watch that speaks on this:
Mars Hill Church: Grace Q & A
Good thoughts, Michael. Thanks for the link to Mark and Mars Hill.
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