do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. [romans 12:2]
we are consistently told not to work for our own salvation, that our “work” is in vain–Christ has done the work for us–he has lived a perfect life and he has died the death that we deserved, so i always pay attention when we are commanded to “do” things in the Bible–it means that the Spirit is about to work in and through us–
and this is an interesting one:
“be transformed”
the greek word metamorphoō is easily recognizable by anyone with a third-grade science education as the word that describes the process by which a caterpillar turns into a butterfly– “metamorphosis”. if you have experienced the new birth, you know that this term is apropos for what happens to us when we are born again to new life in Christ. this word is only used in the bible in two other instances:
- Jesus was transfigured into a figure of pure light and glory in matthew 17 and mark 9,
- and paul tells us that:
and we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. [2 corinthians 3:19]
as you start the morning or refresh yourself in the word, read these passages:
matthew 17:1-8
2 corinthians 3:1-18
romans 12:1-2
meditate:
what does Christ’s metamorphoō mean for those who love and trust and him?
why do you think that matthew and mark use this word to describe what happens to Jesus on the mountain?
what role does the Spirit play in our metamorphoō?
when we are told to “be transformed” how do we obey this command?
o Father!
thank you for not leaving us alone, but for sending us the Spirit so that we might be who we are–transformed, transforming and not yet transformed, that we might always be changing, always be conforming more and more to the image of the Son. thank you for sending the Spirit so that we might be convicted of sin and be able to discern your will and cause us to walk in the light as transformed ones! Holy is your name! you are faithful even when we are faithless! your steadfast love endures forever!
amen!
~ conor eastman