Transformer toys are 32 years old. Yes, hard to believe, but since 1984, the idea of a toy starting out as one thing, and then by a few maneuvers it becomes something else has been tremendously popular. Transformer mania has even expanded into films, video games, comic books, and conventions. The concept of morphing opens up a slew of possibilities for the imagination, to which sci-fi and fantasy writers take full advantage.
As much as we may resist change, we are fascinated by it. We carefully watch, record, and enjoy the stages of development of an infant from birth to toddlerhood and onward. I remember noting my children’s firsts—first tooth, first words, first steps, first day of school, and so on. It has been amazing to be eyewitness to the transformation of those two tiny beings into marvelous adults.
We expect life to be a series of transformations—physical changes, schooling, career developing, marriage, and retirement. Some are welcome; others are dreaded. The cosmetic industry, for one, depends on keeping an ideal going as long as possible, but let’s face it, wrinkles and crepe skin are inevitable.
What about soul transformation? Is our Christianity a fixed state of being? How does God see our lives and what are His expectations for our growth as believers? Romans 12:2 says,
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
The imperative is quite clear. Change is desired and expected.
Be Not Conformed to This World
To be conformed is to submit to something that exists that is recognizable and to act in accordance with that model. To what are we not supposed to conform? This world, aion in Greek, is not a physical place, but rather an age or period of time in eternity here in earth. The aion in which we live has a look and feel. It has a lure for a certain lifestyle.
Is this imperative talking about dress, or housing, or the use of available technologies? Lifestyles have changed over the past two thousand years, and so “this” world could not have been meant as reference to the tangible world. It is clearly reference to behavior that is in keeping with the rest of Scripture as it relates to self, others, and the environment (like the rest of Romans 12).
Be not conformed to the behaviors that may be acceptable to the aion in which we live, but not in keeping with holiness. We need to live, communicate, and navigate in the world in which we live, but we need not look or behave in a manner that brings disgrace to the Kingdom of God. Our behavior should exemplify the principles of love, honor, and integrity as is described in Scripture, but these are not acquired automatically as we dedicate our lives to Christ.
Be Ye Transformed
Transformed in Greek is μεταμορφόω—metamorphóōa, meaning change from one form to another, to transfigure, to change. I picture a toy that starts out as a truck and transforms into a robot. How is that like what happens as you grow in grace and truth? I like what Vine’s Expository Dictionary has to say:
of believers, Rom 12:2, “be ye transformed,” the obligation being to undergo a complete change which, under the power of God, will find expression in character and conduct; morphelays stress on the inward change, schema (see the preceding verb in that verse, suschematizo) lays stress on the outward; the present continuous tenses indicate a process.
Being transformed is not like a sprinkle of Disney fairy dust that changes a person instantaneously. I’m not the same as I was thirty years ago, and I expect I will not be the same next year. Transformation of the soul is a process, actually one that is continuous over a lifetime.
The transformation journey is certainly never dull. Revelation upon revelation about who you are, how you got to where you are, where you are going, and who is on the journey with you makes life in the Spirit full of surprises.
Renewing Your Mind
How does the transformation happen? The Holy Spirit makes the change as our minds (emotions, rationality, knowledge) are renewed in accordance to and in compliance with the Word of God. It requires our diligent involvement as disciples. Studying the Scripture, listening to solid teachings, developing a personal prayer life and communion with God, being involved in ministry, training your mouth to speak God’s Word about matters, and having a personal devotional life moves us day by day and affects the change.
We break old records of defeat that may play in our minds by replacing the message with what God has to say on the matter. We change the vocabulary of disaster, unworthiness, incompetence, and negativity to words of life as we declare the promises of God. We live our lives following the model of Jesus, the Master, and in doing so, we find that our motives, desires, priorities, and activities are no longer as they once were.
Prove What is God’s Will
Where is the transformation heading? To what are we being transformed?
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:18).
Vine’s states that transformation “describes believers as being “transformed (RV) into the same image” (i.e., of Christ in all His moral excellencies), the change being effected by the Holy Spirit.”
Our goal as Christians, followers of Jesus, is to glorify God. Jesus said, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples (John 15:8), and “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John13:45).” Transformation is not only pleasing to the Father, it is the proof of discipleship, the evidence of Christ in us, the hope of glory. Transformation looks like something—the image of Christ—not only as an ultimate goal, but from glory to glory—ongoing lifelong process of change until we behold Him face to face for eternity.