Christian Metamorphosis

Webster says metamorphosis is the next change in the life history of a living organism. We can easily see it in the life of a caterpillar as he becomes a butterfly.  But Webster continues this explanation and tells us that it includes the character and circumstances of the life form.  Webster’s definition is not new.  The Bible tells us that a Christian is being transformed into a higher life form. (The Greek word for transformed is metamorphosis. (See Strong’s number 3339.) The Christian metamorphosis begins with a cocoon “of character changes” brought about by the Spirit.  These character changes enable the subject to enter a life that contains entirely different circumstances than that of a worldly person’s life.

A person’s character is molded as a child and a person not living in Christ are never able to change those ways; “as the twig is bent”, etc.  A person’s character (nature) can only be changed permanently by a power not naturally contained within a person’s abilities.  This power is only available through the Holy Spirit of God.  When we invite the Holy Spirit to live in us and lead us in the ways of our God, He brings with Him the power (ability) to change our inner character (our nature or ways).

For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Cor 3:17-18 (NLT) 

This verse tells us that within our “natural” state of being, our understanding of spiritual matters is “veiled”.  This means we are unable to fully comprehend anything of a spiritual nature because we can’t see the “big picture”.  When a person actually relinquishes control of their lives to the Holy Spirit, He (the Holy Spirit) removes the “veil” that has kept us from seeing and reflecting in our lives the glory of the Lord. 

Before the yielding of our life to the power of the Spirit, people have certain thoughts and ideas that are formed by our “best guess”.  These thoughts, beliefs and ideas are the veil that must be destroyed or removed.  Then, we are able to see God’s truth with a more clear understanding of many things.  Once our incorrect beliefs and ways of thinking are removed and the truth is “unveiled” before us, the transformation of our character begins and our lives will reflect the power of God.

Paul talked about our metamorphosis in this famous passage: Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2 (NLT) Many people do not see the two little words “but let” standing in front of our transformation. We must yield our desires to God and accept His transforming ways in our everyday life.  Christians cannot be changed until they want to have this unique life that is being dedicated to the Almighty.

Christians must continually yield to the Spirit to bring the needed power into their life.  The same power that filled the life of Jesus and took him into eternal glory can work within us if we want it and ask for it.  Our change will be both virtuous and eternal.

Working In Us

When big business has decided they want to get rid of a hard worker that has done a good job for them in past years they use a trick to do it. First they give the worker a promotion into a job that they cannot handle and then they fire them for not doing a good job. Many Christians accept the Lord but they are not able to do the work correctly. In order to solve this problem the Lord Jesus made a way. He sends the Spirit to live in us and show us how to do the work that God wants done. It is as if the Lord gave us the promotion and then sets down beside us every day and shows us how to accomplish our job. Of course, it is not difficult to do the things that a Christian life requires when the Spirit is working in us. Paul talks about this very thing in the following passage; Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Phil 2:12-13 (NLT) God working in us can solve any problem if we will follow the leading of the Spirit. God really does have our back.

One of our spiritual problems today is that modern people don’t seem to accept the idea that the message of God really does change our everyday lives. They hear the amazing words of God and they nod their head but when leave the church house the words never change their life. Paul told one of his churches that they were different;  Therefore, we ( I ) never stop thanking God that when you received his message from us(Me), you didn’t think of our words as mere human ideas. You accepted what we ( I )said as the very word of God—which, of course, it is. And this word continues to work in you who believe. 1 Thess 2:13 (NLT) In the last paragraph we read “Work hard to show the results”. Is this part of the problem? Maybe people are not serious about doing the work of God. Knowing that God is working in us certainly does not relieve us of our Godly responsibilities. We must allow the Gospel of God to work its power “IN US” as we put our minds, hands and feet to work in our everyday life.

Believing in the great power that has come to live in us is the way we develop the new changes God has for our life. Most Christians are trying to operate on 12 volts when thousands of volts are available to every believer. Paul said it this way; I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Eph 1:19-20 (NLT) Many times people will say, “I know God can do anything but it’s just not logical to expect what I am asking”. If God only did logical things then the world could copy everything God would do. The fact is that the world can’t do anything that God does. The world can’t even make a radish seed. America does not see many great miracles. This is not because God can’t do them but because we have such a weak walk with the Lord. Christianity is not about believing in your head what God can do; it is about living a life with enough power to show unbelievers that our God is full of power.

Christians should have one goal in this life. It should be the drive to spread the Word of God to every person in our personal world of influence. This includes helping believers to grow in their spirituality. When people are not moving forward spiritually they are losing ground. It always works that way. There is plenty of power in us; So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us. We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ. That’s why I work and struggle so hard, depending on Christ’s mighty power that works within me. Col 1:28-29 Let’s say it again, we work so that the power of God will have the opportunity to show itself through our life. Remember that we work for Love and not because we are told to. Consider this verse; Does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ. Gal 3:5 (NLT) Jesus did not allow God to work through Him because he had to; love motivated the life He gave for us. We should be the same.

Many times we cannot understand why God is working in some unusual way. Just because God worked in our life in a certain way does not automatically set a pattern for others. The Bible says; There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. 1 Cor 12:4-6 (NLT) If God is not working through our life then we are not right with Him. God is at work through every real Christian.  The Scripture is very clear; Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God. 1 John 3:9-10 It is obvious when the Spirit is working in a person.

Every Christian life has a purpose. Many times we do not feel as if God is using us but that is not possible. If we have the Spirit of God living in us then He is at work doing something. Just because we are not aware of the Spirit's plan in our life does not mean He is doing nothing. In fact, it is possible that at times we may be offending God and entering into unbelief. There is a plan that the Spirit brings into a life that is being lived for Him. The Scripture even says that God’s plan has a great ending for every Christian life.  Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan. Eph 1:11 (NLT) The inheritance that God has for us is beyond anything we can imagine. It may be hard to believe but we will be rewarded for simply allowing God to work in us.