Transform and Transformation: God's Ongoing Work of Change in the Christian Life

A very pronounced change that normally takes place over a considerable period of time; in the Christian context it is part of sanctification – being set apart for the Lord's use.

What Is Transformation?

In Scripture, transformation is far more than self-improvement: it is a Spirit-empowered remaking of a person from the inside out. At salvation Christ puts a new heart (new desires) within us (Ezek 11:19; 2 Cor 5:17), but it is our choice and responsibility, with the Holy Spirit's help, to walk in the newness of life in Christ – reckoning ourselves dead to self but alive to God as we understand our new identity and standing in Him (Rom 6:2-4; 2 Pet 1:2-11).

Do I see myself as a new creature in Christ?

As we live out our confession, by choosing to co-operate with the Holy Spirit, sin's power over our lives is broken, leading to this transformation – being dead to sin yet alive to God (Rom 6:11-14). Because we have passed from darkness to light, we are to deal decisively with the old life and take on qualities that reflect the nature and character of Christ (Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:17-18; Gal 5:22-23; Eph 5:8; Phil 3:21; Col 3:9-10; 1 Jn 3:2).

This co-operation is never passive. It means deliberately stripping away the old way of life – deceit, anger, impurity and every other habit that once defined us – and consciously clothing ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and love (Eph 4:22-24, 25-32; Col 3:5-14). It also requires self-discipline: training ourselves to be godly, as an athlete trains for the prize, disciplining our bodies, thoughts and speech so that grace is not received in vain (1 Tim 4:7-8; 1 Cor 9:24-27; Tit 2:11-12). The Holy Spirit supplies the power, but He will not do for us what we refuse to choose.

We must diligently apply ourselves to the task

Above all, transformation requires that we make Him Lord – not merely Saviour. Jesus asked, "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say?" (Lk 6:46). Salvation involves confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing God raised Him from the dead (Rom 10:9), and every tongue will one day acknowledge His Lordship (Phil 2:9-11); the wise respond now, presenting themselves as living sacrifices and yielding every ambition, relationship and habit to His rule (Rom 12:1-2). He cannot be merely an influence in our lives – He must be in command. Where He truly reigns, the putting off and putting on is no longer a struggle of wills but the natural expression of a surrendered heart.

The extent of our transformation is measured not by what we know but by what we obey. Is there an area of your life you have been holding back from His Lordship – a habit, a relationship, an ambition? Name it, put it off, and invite the Holy Spirit to replace it with its godly counterpart, then discipline yourself daily to walk in the change He brings.

Have I truly made Jesus Lord of every area of my life?

Transformation is a lifelong adjustment, not a short-term 'turning over a new leaf' that soon reverts to the same old pattern. Ideally it is holistic, affecting every aspect of our lives – body, soul and spirit – liberating us forever (through Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit) as God intended.

A change of mindset is the foundation of transformation. How has your thinking changed?

How Transformation Happens

Transformation is an ongoing process of transition. We grow like and adopt the lifestyle of those we live with and focus our attention upon (Ps 115:8; Prov 13:20, 22:24-25). Conversion is the beginning of a new relationship by which our thought life and confession are renewed; the more closely we relate to Him, the more we will be like Him. As Christ is 'being formed in us', if a person doesn't show increasing signs of Christ-likeness over time we may question whether they are really connected to Jesus and born again (Mt 7:20; Gal 4:19).

As clay is in the potter's hand, let God shape us into what He wants, replacing our hard, stony hearts with malleable responsive hearts. Our input and motivation will largely determine the level of transformation that takes place (Isa 45:9, 64:8; Jer 18:1-6; Rom 9:21; 2 Tim 2:20-21).

God wants this. Do I want it too?

By the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter was transformed from a coward to a bold preacher, and Paul was changed from an ardent opponent and persecutor of Christians to probably the most zealous and influential Christian leader of all time – from the worst of sinners to a saint (Jn 18:17,25-27; Acts 2:14-40; Acts 9:1-18; 1 Tim 1:12-16).

Samuel told Saul, "You will be changed into a different person" when he was endowed with the Spirit of the Lord, although he did not continue to walk in it because he made wrong decisions (1 Sam 10:6-9).

Can others observe the transformation occurring in my life?

Don't hinder the power of God from doing an amazing work in your life. He won't force His abundant life and victory on us, yet makes it available if we seek Him. Develop a habit of regular prayer, Bible study and meditation, allowing the life-transforming principles of God's Word to replace the wrong thought patterns and beliefs in your mind (Josh 1:8; Ps 1:1-6, 119:9,11; Rom 12:2; Phil 4:8).

I want to be all Jesus gave His life to gain for me. How about you? It will involve sacrifice and commitment, costing us dearly, as it did for Him. Those opposed to God want our destruction, but if like Joseph we respond in a right spirit this will be turned around and become a blessing (Gen 50:20). Jesus would also say to us, "Come, follow me, and I will make you..." (Mt 4:19). Faith involves fully embracing and implementing the truth in total commitment to Christ when there is no indication of the route or experiences we will pass through to reach the desired conclusion. We are being transformed so, in turn, we can transform our world and help those around us to come into a greater liberation in Christ.

Renewal, Revival and Community Transformation

Renewal is the stirring up of individual Christians to seek God's power in their lives, resulting in a new empowering of the Holy Spirit, with rekindled love and praise focusing on God and a fresh understanding of His call on their lives.

Revival is the bringing back to life, or re-awakening, of those in the church with a new desire for prayer and dedication to the purposes of God, resulting in many people in an area becoming Christians and submitting to His Lordship as the fear of the Lord descends on the locality with conviction.

Renewal and revival represent God moving among people, leading to transformation as people respond to what He is saying both individually and collectively, affecting the social and economic aspects of a community and even the environment.

As God's spokespeople, Christians have a key role to play, practising His teachings and sharing His values for the conduct of life. The extent to which the transformation process takes place is dependent on the willingness of people to listen to and then obey the Lord. When an entire community begins to reflect the presence and glory of God in a way that can be evaluated and compared to previous years, the community is transformed – for true transformation requires unity of purpose. His Presence reveals His amazing love and desire to dwell within redeemed humanity.

Am I a good advertisement for Jesus?

Reflection and Application

Ask the Holy Spirit to expose one wrong thought pattern and replace it with truth from God's Word.
Build a daily habit of prayer, Bible study and meditation.
Ask someone you trust whether they can see growing Christ-likeness in your life.
Commit to following Jesus wholeheartedly, even when the path ahead is unclear.