And we know that God causes everything to work together for
the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for
them. For God knew his people in advance, and he
chose them to become like his Son…. R omans 8:28 – 29a (NLT)
Let’s face it – our
resistance to this world’s customs and behaviors can only “hold-out” just so long. The temptations of our culture are relentless:
television, social media, peer pressure,
and materialism.
But the power to resist was
never intended to be just what you can muster-up; there is power to live
that flows from Jesus Christ to the believer who trusts Him enough to give up
being lord over his own life, and let God have His way.
In the church we call it transformation. Paul said that God can transform you into a
new person. That person is the image of
Christ; we are being conformed or changed – better, transformed into Christ’s
image when we allow God free control over our lives.
That is what Paul meant by
encouraging us to live a life of sacrifice – to freely and constantly submit to
whatever God wants to make of us. That’s
the metaphor of the cup we celebrate together – Christ’s life was poured-out in
the name of the Father in heaven for us; we follow his example and pour-out our
life for others – in His name.
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.
Our hearts – that’s a place
where others cannot see; only God knows what’s happening there. But the results of that
transformation (or the lack of it) will be seen!
Metamorphosis is
transformation; it is what happens in a cocoon.
Cradled in a nest the nature of a caterpillar begins to change. Finally it breaks out, looking very little
like it looked before. What was once an
ugly little squirming worm is transformed into the very essence of delightful
beauty! It was once conformed to the
slinking image of a dust-eater; now it soars with color and majesty – some are
even called Monarch!
In a human being follower of
Jesus Christ our cocoon is grace.
Surrendering control of our lives to God’s grace allows God’s
transforming power to change us. We
emerge with wings, to escape temptation and live a life that is pleasing and
acceptable to God. We can live a life of
purpose and dignity, leaving the dust-eating worm-life behind.
Christian non-conformists
resist this World’s Culture and rest their whole being in Christ.
And So….for YOU, Today
Just like a caterpillar must
crawl up on the branch of some tree and enter a cocoon to begin the transformation
process, a Christian believer (insert YOUR name here) must attach himself to
the “grace-branch” of Jesus’ cross.
The Christian’s grace
cocoon is vitally worked-out in a myriad of ways (discipleship, prayer,
fellowship with other believers, worship, stewardship and helping others); it is
a constant surrender to the presence of Christ, Who changes, transforms us, entirely.
Today is Valentine’s Day. It’s a day we naturally turn our thoughts to love
and the most significant relationships in our lives. What an awesome day to turn our hearts to the Author
of grace, transformed, walking on the other side of the Great AND SO Divide
!
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