Christianity Oasis Forum

[Netchaplain]

The word “transformation” occurs twice in Scripture with reference to Christians (Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 3:18). Every believer tries to be reformed, but very few apprehend the great moral difference between reformation and transformation. As a rule believers rejoice that they are saved, and aim to be up to the language of Micah 6:8, “to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.”

There are increasing numbers who have accepted the truth that by the grace of God they have been transferred from Adam to Christ, and that they are clear of the old man in God’s sight; yet they have no true understanding of what it is to be “transformed.” Reformation is improvement, and refers to what already exists; but transformation means a change of being. This, it is feared, is little known.

In Romans 12:2, we are exhorted not to be “conformed to this world,” but to be “transformed by the renewing of your mind.” This means a new mind, something altogether new; so that you are not to walk before men according to this world, but according to the mind of Christ, your life (1 Cor 2:16; Col 3:4). Hence, at the end of this exhortation, the Apostle says, “put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof” (Rom 13:14).

It is not a question as to whether the order of the world is good or not, but you are not to be conformed to it any more: you are to be “transformed” according to and new mind, and thus be able to “prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God.” Everyone who knows anything of his own heart must know that he has tastes and desires connected with this earthly scene, and the more they are gratified the stronger they become. But as he walks in the Spirit he finds that what he likes most in the natural order of things is the very thing he must avoid; “No man . . . having drunk old wine straightway desireth new; for he saith, the old is better.” Very slowly do we learn to be altogether non-conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of our mind.

As to the transforming of 2 Corinthians 3:18, the blessedness of it is that it is by beholding the Lord Jesus’ glory with unveiled face that we are transformed into the same image; that is, we are brought into moral correspondence with Himself. It is not merely a new course outside and apart from the world as in Romans, but here we are in conscious union with the risen Lord Jesus Christ in glory.

It is true that every convert does not enjoy the light of His glory, because many are dwelling more upon the work than upon the Person who did the work. The fact is, the nearer you are to Him in glory the more assured you are of being in the righteousness of God, and that you are there without a cloud; and it is as you behold the Lord Jesus there, you are gradually transformed into moral correspondence to Himself. Many have been misled by thinking that just by reading the Bible you become like Christ—transformed; but you will find diligent students of the Word, who my never say anything incorrect in doctrine, yet who never seem to grow in grace and walk in spiritual reality.

When we learn that we are united to Him who is in glory, we can come forth in the new man to manifest His beauty and grace here on earth. This transformation is of the highest order. The Lord lead our hearts to apprehend the great contrast between the old man, however reformed by law, and the new man growing by grace into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ.

-JB Stoney

[RockofAges]

WOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! AMEN FINALLY

So many pray for change, God never said I will change you, it says be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. The best example I can offer, and I said this on other sites,

Clay is clay, no matter what shape... it is still clay, but placed in the MASTER'S hands, though still clay it can be transformed into a vessel that ultimately becomes a master piece. A diamond in the rough is still a diamond/aka a rock, but place it in the MASTER'S hands, with lots of hard work and cutting it in all the right ways, it is still a diamond but transformed into a master piece. Thus related to our own being. A human is still a human, but one is lost in sins and evils but a human placed in the Grace and Love of Jesus , that human though still a human is being transformed into the likeness and image of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and greatest love. And well if that doesn't work, a redo, Create in me a new heart oh God as King David prayed.

[RockofAges]

Electrons passing through a resistor on a circuit: Potential Energy => heat/light

A ball rolling down a hill: Potential Energy => Kinetic Energy

Photosythesis: Light => Chemical


notice the theory of evolution is wrong, nothing changes not even God's mind, it only transforms. A rolling ball down the hill doesn't change into a clown juggling balls for instance

DNA what ever the information in it, doesn't contradict itself just transforms and transforms until it reached it maximum peak of the original copy. Nothing changed just revealed what it is over time.

[RockofAges]

I forgot to add this issue I am having. I have encountered many Christians who are reformed minded, and as I would attempt to talk with them not knowing of the reformation they were operating under, it triggered me to be aggressive and argumentative over time just flat out attacking because their double standards, lot of bible but without the leading of the Holy Spirit and little grace offered it put my spirit in a box and snuffed out what I was clawing and digging for and that is transformation and a renewed mind in Christ Jesus. And strange to find out they are not transformed in Christ Jesus, just have a knowledge about the Word but no wisdom and wisdom includes grace love mercy, just the mind set of a sinner saved by grace, but transformation is showing that Grace in them took them further, not an I can out wit you in the I am right and you are wrong contest. All I got was dirt in my face when I made them mad with my approach they would say I will pray for you, and I am like pray for what? That I become nicer and make it easy on you or that God opens my eyes when I see clearly there are logs in the eyes of both of us? Transformation is lacking in many of us who put our trust in Christ. Many place faith in religion of Christianity causing the reformed mind lacking the source of life of the Father and lack a relationship with the Savior who is a real living Person that connects us to the Father. I often wonder what Jesus would say in Christian Chat rooms to us all.

I don't want to sound and be like just another Church goer that is so religiously uptight and dry and be a cheap copy of reformed religion, I want to be transformed by a person because I am made by a PERSON, religion didn't create me nor saved me nor graced me and it cannot offer a relationship, only Jesus can, and that is who I want transforming me so I have something to offer the world that the world is starving for.

[Truesovereigncrown]

...

[Netchaplain]

Hi ROA and thanks for the laborious reply! Yes, the significance is in knowing the difference between Reformation ans Transformation. The prior attempts to make something preexisting (old man) better, which is not God's intention, nor is it possible, "Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be" (Rom 8:7).

This is the reason for the latter, because it requires the addition (co-existing with the old man or nature) of an altogether new nature (new man) which is created after Christ's image (Col 3:10), which makes for, not change, but exchange.

I also realize that a Christian cannot be carnal-minded because this means death (Rom 8:6), but he can be carnal (1 cor 3:1, 3) until God moves him along (Phil 2:13), or else he is just a professor and not a possessor.

[RockofAges]

Thanks for the laborious daily efforts you put into this.

I wish including self,everyone would realize we all are on different growth levels in Jesus. As I have read the bible over and over I discover the obvious staring in my face, the bible is not a book about perfect people God used to document true stories, The bible documents true stories of imperfect people interacting with other imperfect people , and a perfect God doing his all to communicate His love to the imperfect people.

As I read your posts sir, I grasp the concept mentally, but trying to apply it consistently and in action is a whole different thing.

[Netchaplain]

As I read your posts sir, I grasp the concept mentally, but trying to apply it consistently and in action is a whole different thing.

I know what you mean sir. That which is of God can always be more deeply understood as time with Him and His Word continue to be studied.