Transformation

The Scriptures were not given for our information, but for our transformation.
-D. L. Moody-

#selfiesunday #throwbackthursday #followmefriday #transformationtuesday

Transformation Tuesday: On Tuesdays, users are encouraged to post “transformational” photos of themselves along with the hashtag in the description. A lot of people create them in the form of a “before and after” photo, often using photo collage maker apps to break up the photo into two parts so that one side shows the before photo and the other side shows the after photo.
The “transformation” part of the trend is totally up to how you interpret it. Some people post photos of themselves when they were children alongside a photo of them all grown up.
Others will share transformations of their own fitness achievements, makeup or fashion makeovers, or current day selfies paired up with past taken selfies. Basically, if you can communicate the message that something or someone in the photo has changed or “transformed” over time, it qualifies as a good Transformation Tuesday post.

1. People post pics of “before” and “after”—
2. People post pics of other people
3. People post pics of themselves not transformed
SOME PEOPLE “DON’T GET IT”
Some people post something that really does not reflect a transformation. They don’t get it!

The Christian life is like that—some people just don’t get it. They think that to be saved is enough of a transformation, but the Apostle Paul tells us that just going to heaven isn't enough!

PAUL’S CALL TO ACTION IS FOUND IN:

Romans 12:1-3
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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.For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

When we are transformed there is a difference that is noticeable and we have better clarity to follow God’s will. The battle ground between conforming to the world and being transformed is within the mind of the believer. Christians not only must live differently (standards, morals, etc.) they must think differently.

Romans12:2- 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.

Being transformed is more than a “before” and “after”—it is a metamorphosis—a progress—it is like sanctification, it does not happen over night. "Sanctification is the act or process of acquiring sanctity, of being made or becoming holy." So, how do we "get it"? What does Christian Transformation include?

How to “Get it”--Steps to being transformed:

1. RESURRENDER - Renewal begins by offering up our whole body, soul, mind and spirit to the Lord. Luke 10:27 tells us, “And he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind…” It takes a conscious effort to present oneself to the Lord by disciplining ourselves for godliness. For some, surrendering is daily, a daily renewal of

2. REPLACE what is fleshly with what is God’s word. Paul wrote, "Put away anger, jealousy, wrath, slander and clamor and put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other just as God in Christ has forgiven you” (Eph. 4:22-32). Learn how to replace whatever is prompted by fleshly tendencies with Spirit controlled scriptural principles.

Let God’s word dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another with songs and hymns and spiritual songs. “Singing and making melody in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do, do it all in the name and the authority of Jesus" (Col. 3:16-17).

3. RESIST the conformity to the world. Know that the greatest enemy to renewal is conformity to the patterns of the world with its lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and boastful pride of life. If people provoke us we are not to lose our cool. We are not to be boastful, argumentative or rude when we are criticized. We are to not be divisive when we do not get our way. We are to not prematurely write people off because they do not measure up to our standards. The rule of the gospel is positive, not the politically correct mentality of going along to get along.