I don’t think I’ll ever forget seeing my best friend when he came back from Marine Corp boot camp. I could hardly believe my eyes. Chubby when he went into the Corp, he returned a perfect specimen of strength and health. And the transformation was not only physical but also in the confident way he carried himself — a total transformation.
Perhaps you have had this experience of encountering someone who has undergone a significant life change, and he or she looks like a totally different person. However, the most difficult and most important type of change does not come in our external appearance, but in our internal spiritual condition. This is where most change and transformation need to happen.
We quickly discover inner transformation is even more challenging than physical change. How can a person experience real, lasting, internal change? This text reminds us real, lasting, internal change comes only through the work of the Holy Spirit. Consider three results of the change God wants to produce in your life.
Real change produces freedom. Paul declared the Spirit of the Lord brings freedom. Sin enslaves us, chains us to damaging and destructive habits, which ultimately lead to death. We can point to many sinful choices taking place in our culture, often in the name of freedom. However, selfish choices do not lead to freedom but into bondage. This is true of any decision to move away from God’s design for us. We think, as fallen human beings, that freedom is being able to do whatever we want. However, true freedom only comes in living in accordance with God’s intent for us — true humanity. This is the work of the Spirit: to restore what was lost in the Garden of Eden.
The Spirit’s work in our lives shines the spotlight on Jesus. He turns the focus away from Himself and toward the Son. Of course, we are beholding this glory of the Lord imperfectly. As Paul described it in another passage, we see through a glass darkly or dimly. This fallen world and our sinfulness cloud our vision. We walk by faith and not by clear sight. Yet, as we keep our eyes of faith on Jesus, we behold the glory of the Lord, allowing the Spirit’s work to produce His fruit in our lives.
Even as Christians, we aren’t free of sin. To make that claim would be to deny the Bible, because the Bible says if we deny our sin we deceive ourselves, and the truth isn’t in us. But if you are a Christian, you have been set free from the enslavement of sin. You have the power of God, the Holy Spirit, within you to choose to obey God.
Just recall the Gerasene demoniac who lived among the tombs. His demonic possession was so severe he broke all restraining chains, cried out in torment, and cut himself in agony. Everyone feared him. He was a man totally out of control, held captive by his sin and Satan. Then he met Jesus. After casting the demons out, the story ends with the man sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind. What a beautiful picture of the freedom Jesus brings!
Real change is both instant and progressive. Verse 16 is clear: whenever anyone accepts Christ, the veil is taken away. Paul described two veils or coverings. One was a reference to unbelieving Jews who (still) refuse to see Jesus as the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. But another veil covers a person’s heart. Whenever anyone turns to Christ, that veil is removed. This is the language of instant change, of salvation. This is the change that takes place immediately at conversion.
I’m reminded of the story in Exodus when the Israelites were judged for their sin through a plague of poisonous snakes. God instructed Moses to make a brass serpent and set it upon a pole. Anyone who looked to the serpent in faith would live, healed instantly. In the same way, anyone who looks to Jesus in faith will live. Has this ever happened in your life? Have you made a decisive turn toward the Lord?
However, Paul also described ongoing transformation or sanctification. This is the lifelong process of cooperating with the grace of God, who then works through the Holy Spirit to help us become more like Jesus. He’s refining our character; He is shaping our minds; He is working on our attitudes; He is helping us become more like Him. The progress usually doesn’t come in a straight line thanks to our sinful nature. It often feels more like a roller coaster ride — ups, downs, twists, and turns.
Paul noted one degree of glory to another. The image of God in man remains, though damaged and marred by the Fall. Humanity has dignity and glory in this sense: Christ is working to restore the image of God in man, transforming us from one degree of glory to another. This process takes place slowly and steadily but — make no mistake about it — it is transformation.
The verb used in this passage to describes this process appears in English as metamorphosis. My mind immediately returns to elementary school and learning about the caterpillar emerging from the cocoon as a beautiful butterfly— a remarkable transformation. This is a wonderful metaphor for the Christian’s ongoing transformation into the image
of Jesus.
How I wish all this change was instant. I want it this way, even more so in a culture where most things are instant and efficient. But, when it comes to spiritual growth, most progress takes place gradually. Our sanctification is not like microwave popcorn!
Real change conforms us to the image of Christ. I may not know God’s detailed will for your life in terms of where you will work, who you will marry, or all the other decisions you will face in the twists and turns of life. But I do know God’s will for all who trust in Christ is to become like Christ. Paul used this same language in Romans 8:29, and we also read a similar statement in 1 John 3:2.
Growing up, I displayed posters of my sports heroes on my bedroom walls. I hoped to become like them, and determined to work to get there. But hard work will only take you so far. At some point, genetics either take you to stardom or take you down. But God has much bigger plans for my life (and yours) than becoming a star athlete. He has the goal of making my thoughts, my attitudes, my actions like Jesus. And though He requires my effort in this process, it is His Spirit working within me that secures the finished product.
We’ve all seen before and after photos — perhaps a picture of a rundown house transformed into a showplace. But we don’t see the in-between, when things didn’t work out, when the project ground to a halt, or when money ran short.
So often, when we look at ourselves, we see only the change that still needs to happen in our own lives. Yet, God is at work, refining our character, renewing our minds, helping us put off sinful habits and attitudes, and replacing them with kindness, gentleness, and patience. One day, in glory, the before and after picture will be complete.
Real, lasting change comes through the work of the Holy Spirit as we look to Jesus. Are you allowing Him access to every part of your life? Are you working toward this goal of becoming more like Christ?
If you are, remember you won’t see transformation by looking inside yourself. True transformation — real, lasting change — takes place within us as we look to Jesus. So, keep looking to Him. Keep your gaze fixed on Him. Let nothing divert your attention from Him, for we know that one day when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is.
About the Columnist: Dr. Barry Raper pastors Bethel FWB Church near Ashland City, Tennessee, and teaches ministry at Welch College.
