Romans 12:2 // Transformed!

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. (Romans 12:2)

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. (2 Peter 1:2-12)

It was too tempting to put all of 2 Peter 2 into this post, but I had to stop somewhere. We are saved by entering into a covenant relationship with Jesus Christ. Those who refuse to take part in the process that Jesus wants to lead them on, of being restored back to God's image, they go through life without enjoying the fruit of the Spirit or seeing their actions leading to the lives of others changed by Jesus too. They may have been purged from their old sins, but are they clean now? I don't know.

Jesus wants to lead us on a journey to become like Him in character. First we must have faith, then we must begin to form habits of action that are consistent with our high calling, only after this are we ready to expand our knowledge with sanctified critical thinking, knowing the truth will set us free from bondage to sin, and this will give us the integrity to withstand the storms of life. Finally we will be like our Father in heaven, showing mercy to those we would prefer to punish, and we will be free to experience belonging among God's true servants, those who are our most faithful supporters, who we can count on when others disown us. Finally, God imparts to us His divine love, which is not infected with selfishness, but proclaims the truth whatever the cost, exposing the corruption of the society of lies and drawing some who follow the light to come to Jesus, the source.

I believe this process cycles repeatedly, and I'm not dogmatic that various traits may not overlap in their development. But I believe this process of growth exists literally the way Peter describes it.

So choose to spend time with God that you may be like Him. When you do, you will discover His will for you, you will find it to be good for you, remarkably acceptable to you, and perfectly fulfilling without inadequacy. This is not self-help or self-esteem; this is making peace with your maker and thus making peace your reality. You were created to reflect who God is, only by doing this can you find your ultimate life purpose.


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