Transformed in His presence

I have been reading in a book called Spiritual Formation and I am led to share with you today part of what I have read concerning "Transformation". There is an important principle to understand first and I believe that this is the key to our transformation process: People with receptive hearts are transformed in the presence of Christ." Our hearts and minds have to be receptive to the Word of God, Presence of God, and the Working of God. We can't allow our hearts to be receptive to the things of the world and expect God to transform us at the same time.

Transformation is the goal for which God has destined all those who will believe on Him. He tells us in Romans 12:2 not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. Transformation is a part of the redeeming act at salvation; we are regenerated, made new. Yet transformation is also a process by which Christ is shaping believers into His likeness, conforming us to His image.1 The bible says in Genesis that we are made in the image of the Godhead, in the likeness of the mercy, grace, and love of God. Even though we are a part of this world we are not to be of the world. I John 2:15-17 says, "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (niv)

I like what the author said about Peter's life as described in Luke 5:1-11. At the revelation of "Who" Peter had met by the waterside, he responded in several ways: He fell (his self-sufficiency melted, he was humbled), He confessed (his self-righteousness melted, he was repentant), He was astonished (his self-understanding melted, he believed), and he responded (his self-employment melted, he was called).2 Peter was transformed by being in the presence of the Lord (with Jesus). We have to make it a priority to spend time in the presence of God everyday so that we can be transformed, continuously. May God Bless you today!



1 White Wing, Foundations - Spiritual Formation pg 14
2 White Wing, Foundations - Spiritual Formation pg 14,15