Transform.
A verb.
It means to change completely and usually for the better. What kind of change? Well, you could change the composition or structure of something. It could be the change in appearance. It also refers to the change in character or condition.
As people were making New Year resolutions at the end of 2014, I was praying for God to give me guidance and direction for the new year. This included a word and verse to guide me through the coming year. For 2015 He gave me the word transformed and the verse Romans 12:2. The verse has always been a favorite of mine, but it was very clear this was to be something more.
In Romans 12:2 Paul writes " Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern (prove) what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
So I looked at the original Greek text to see what some of the key words in this verse mean-to have a clearer understanding.
conformed- to be like one's self-in character or mind
transformed-to change into another form, to transform, to transfigure
renewal (renewing)-complete change for the better
mind- capacities of feeling, judging and determining
discern (prove)- test, examine
perfect- brought to an end, finished
So what is God asking? Don't be like this world in their character or the way they think. CHANGE for the better. Renew your mind-be more like Christ. As this happens you can examine God's will for your life and see that it is good and perfect.
Sounds easy enough, doesn't it? I was overwhelmed! Yet I was thankful for God showing me the next step in my journey with Him.
I am sinner just as anyone else, but I have been saved by grace. I mess up and life isn't pretty. The struggle is real.
What God is showing on this journey is the process we are to go through to live for Him. The daily denying ourselves and living for Christ.
To be transformed into Christ, we have to spend more time with Him so new habits need to be created and old habits broken. Sometimes, it is second by second-moment by moment. There are mountain top days and days in the valley, but every step of the way, Jesus is with me. And for that I am grateful.
