Source/Author: Dr Michael Dalseno

The transformation of the believer is one of the central themes of Romans, and for good reason.

TRANSFORMATION

Dr  D

“Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12.1-2)

The transformation of the believer is one of the central themes of Romans, and for good reason. Lets start by looking at the meaning of the word. In the original Greek, the scripture is essentially saying, “be ye metamorphosed,” “Meta” meaning “change” and “morphosis” meaning “a change in form.” So, it is not just about making a few personal alterations or resolutions for a new year, but rather it is about some kind of translation or “extreme makeover” into another form. The metamorphosis of the butterfly, itself an emblem of eternal life in the English vernacular, is probably the most common anecdote applied here.  

The word “transformation/metamorphosis” is used this way 3 times in Scripture. In the first instance, it is a direct command, as evident from Romans 12.1-2. There is no choice in the matter; believers are expected to rise above mere earthly humanity - lifted from leaf-bound caterpillar conformity to this world into the renewed life of the liberated butterfly.

In the second instance, transformation is a process throughout life; because 2 Cor.3.18 informs us that we “are being transformed” into the same image of the Lord. It’s a lifelong process requiring a clear submission to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The more we dig in our heels, frustrate the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, or fatally attempt to live with a foot in the world and a foot in the Kingdom, the less will be the work of transformation/metamorphosis in our lives and the more weak, withered and wasted we shall be.

In the final instance, the Lord will complete the process of transformation. This is made clear in Philippians 3.21 when Paul tells the Philippian believers, who were so anxious about their eternal futures, that the Lord Himself “will transform” our humble bodies into conformity with His own. His will put in the finishing touches.

But the most profound use of the word “transformation/metamorphosis,” and the best understanding we can get on the kind of transformation required in the life of the believer, comes from Jesus. All three Synoptics record the event. Jesus was leading Peter, James and John in prayer on a high mountain (probably Hermon) when “He was transfigured [metamorphomai] before them” (Matt.17.1-5). He took on His glorified state, and the impact on the disciples was immense. No wonder Peter wanted to capture the situation, retain it, and lock it down in three tabernacles!

May we also, as believers, “mirror the glory of the Lord” (2Cor.3.18) by allowing the Holy Spirit to work on our lives and not mirror the world we live in. In so doing, we will grow, mature, fulfill our destinies, and develop into a full-grown transformed adult with all of its freedom, liberty, impact, new horizons, and undreamed possibilities.