As followers of Christ, we are called not only to believe in Jesus but to be transformed. The Bible teaches four key things about transformation, which, when embraced, can positively affect every aspect of a Christian’s life.
We may want to transform our personal lives in several ways, but God has the ultimate transformation plan for us.
From a biblical perspective, the word transformation means a change from a life that no longer conforms to the world’s ways to one that pleases God.
And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity].
Romans 8:28-30 AMP
Because we are sinners by nature due to the fall, God has always planned to restore His children through the blood of Jesus and conform us to the image of Christ—which essentially means to make us like Him, perfectly obeying and honoring God in everything. This conformity is a transformation process that takes time—a lifetime, to be exact.
In the first stage – salvation, an immediate transformation takes place.
When a person exercises saving faith in Christ Jesus, they immediately pass out of spiritual death and into spiritual life with a new heart imparted. Being justified freely by grace, he/she is accepted and loved before the Father, made one with Christ forever, and receives eternal life as a child of God.
Salvation marks us as a part of God’s family and essentially kicks off our new life in Christ!
- Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:12-13 NIV
- Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—when God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. Titus 3:3-7 NLT
- Anyone who belongs to Christ is a new person. The past is forgotten, and everything is new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 CEV
Salvation equips us with the Holy Spirit and the mind of Christ, which empowers the second stage of our transformation: sanctification.
