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How does transformation happen? It doesn’t happen by maintaining the status quo, by just going on as you always have. Transformation requires change. It involves consistent and persistent change that establishes new ways of thinking, new habits, new values, new character and new beliefs. It usually doesn’t happen overnight. It is more than a one-time decision to do something different. It is uncomfortable and sometimes even painful. But over time, after countless little decisions to do things differently transformation is possible.
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The classic example of transformation is the process of metamorphosis a caterpillar undergoes to become a butterfly. In the process of metamorphosis, the old exoskeleton of the caterpillar is discarded and new organs grow and develop to become the butterfly. The old is put off and in its place the new grows. Sound familiar? In Colossians 3, Paul talks about laying aside the old self and putting on the new.
Colossians 3:9-10 - Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (ESV)
In Bible study the step of application is essential for transformation. It is the step in the process that demands change. It takes the timeless truths of scriptures and seeks to integrate them into our everyday lives so that the old is set aside and the new is taken up. This process is not always easy. It takes careful and deliberate thought. It takes creativity and imagination. And most importantly it takes input, direction and empowerment from the Holy Spirit.
Perhaps an example is in order. I’ve been reading through the gospel of Luke this month. One of the things I’ve noticed in the opening chapters of this gospel is the amount of praise and prophecy surrounding the birth of Jesus. It’s as if heaven couldn’t contain the joy of salvation that would be accomplished through Jesus. Luke intentionally included numerous accounts of people and angels praising God because he wanted to communicate the joy of God’s salvation. The timeless truth that is highlighted in this is that the gospel is a message of joy. In order to apply this timeless truth to my personal life I could ask the following questions:
Does my life reflect the joy of the gospel? If so, how?
How could I reflect the joy of the gospel more intentionally?
These are questions worth reflecting on and answering. However, they are quite broad. A more specific question might help me see how the joy of the gospel could be integrated into specific areas of my life. For example, how could I express the joy of God’s salvation in my quiet time? How could I express joy while I’m driving to work? While I’m working? How could I incorporate it into the Bible study I lead? How could I bring it into the meeting I’m going into? How could I use my finances to express the joy of salvation? Could I use my area of expertise? How will I pass on the joy of God’s salvation to my children? How does it affect the conversation I will have today with my neighbor who doesn’t know Jesus? By considering specific situations and concerns the practical application of the timeless truth becomes clear. And as I put those ideas into practice the process of transformation begins.
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In Philippians 1:6 Paul reminds us that “he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Transformation is the work of the Holy Spirit in us creating us into the image of Christ. Therefore, as I discover timeless truth in scripture and seek to integrate them into my life I need the Holy Spirit’s creativity, prompting, power and presence with me. Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend write in their book How People Grow, “To grow, we need things that we do not have and cannot provide, and we need to have a source of those things who looks favorably upon us and who does things for us for our own good.” (pg. 67). The source who looks favorably on us and who does things for us is God himself, who through the work of Christ on the cross and the power of the indwelling Spirit transforms us into the image of Christ, for the praise and glory of God.