The definition of conform is, “to comply with standards, rules, or laws.” The definition of transform is, “to make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance of character of.” So, we are to intentionally change, make up our mind, to be different. Now, transformation is not something we can do automatically. Transformation comes only through Jesus Christ. Only He can change our hearts, attitudes, and thinking. It is our place to allow Him to make those changes in us.
The first step in this transformation is to surrender to Jesus by accepting His sacrifice for us on the Cross. By believing that He came to save us from our sins, asking for His forgiveness for our sins, and then endeavoring to live for Him and be obedient to Him for the rest of our lives, making Him Lord and Master over us, we begin the journey to transformation.
Transforming our lives isn’t easy, nor is it a quick process. It is a life-long endeavor. We must focus on surrendering every part of ourselves to become more like Him day by day. By keeping our minds set upon living for Jesus, and being obedient to His Word and Will, we grow every day and change, little by little, and become the person He created us to be. We are to be mirror images of Him. When others see us, they are to see Him through us.
Bible reading and study, praying daily, attending church, and fellowshipping with other Believers all go towards our transformation. Will we stumble and fall? Of course we will! But Jesus has promised to help us. He will forgive us our shortcomings and sins. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” John was writing to Believers. This verse is often given as a salvation verse when witnessing to unbelievers, and it does apply. However, John was talking to those who had already accepted Christ into their lives and were struggling with those who were infiltrating their fellowship with Gnosticism, which my Bible described as “a deviant form of Christianity.” Its adherents’ particular views varied, but they tended to value knowledge as the means of salvation (rather than the Cross), to assert that physical matter was evil, and to teach that the Son of God could not, therefore, have come in the flesh.” This, I’m sure, left the many Believes confused and most likely believing that every time they did something wrong they had lost their salvation and there was no hope for them.
With help from god, we can be forgiven our shortcomings and sins, and receive help to transform our lives to be ones that we can offer to Him as a living sacrifice. As Believers, we can be assured that in spite of our human failures, God loves us and wants us to be more like Him. He wants a relationship with us. So, as the new year begins, let us determine in our hearts and minds that we will intentionally work on transformation in our lives.
donnasmusings 