S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

In the Bible transformation means "change or renewal from a life that no longer conforms to the ways of the world to one that pleases God" (Romans 12:2). This is accomplished by the renewing of our...

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July 01 2013 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Lawrence wong Supporter Disciple of iEsou ("Yeh-sou") christou

Michael has quoted key scriptures on the act of Transformation. I would like to share a few thoughts on how this involves each one of Christ’s disciples by looking at Romans 12:1-2 in light of 2 Corinthians 3:18.

First, we have to present ourselves to ABBA as a living sacrifice as an act of worship (Ro 12:1) The most important Old Covenant example is that of Abraham going up the mountain of Moriah (Jerusalem) to worship ALHYM by offering His son Issac as a sacrifice. Despite the lack of precedent, Abraham knew, by faith in ALHYM, that Issac would be resurrected to fulfil the Covenant ALHYM had made with him (He 11:8-19, esp v.19; Gen 22). We note that Abraham offered his favourite, most cherished son to ALHYM YHVH with whom he had an intimate relationship with, and Issac was toally obedient to his father (like father like son). About 2,000 years later ALHYM, as the Father of all fathers (Ep, ABBA to iEsou christou (Mt 1:1) offered His Son, Christ, as a sacrificial Lamb for the sins of the world (Jo 1:29; 1 Cor 5:7) The key words are worship, obedience, faith, the best.

Secondly, Issac was totally obedient to Abraham, that is completely submissive. So was Christ to Abba. It was in the Garden of Gethsemane that we learn a secret, that when iEsou talked to His father privately He used the name ABBA which means “Daddy” (MK 14:16). The proper noun ABBA appears only 3 times in the Holy Bible. The other 2 times are in Ro 8:15 and Gal 4:6 where disciples of Christ who have been “adopted” by the Father into His household (Ep 2:9; He 3:6) will naturally call “The Father”, ABBA as his children, just like Christ. The children of ABBA are the disciples who fulfill the words worship, obedience, faith in Christ, and best.

Thirdly, if we fulfill the requirements listed above, only then will ABBA do His work on and in us to transform us into his likeness, His glory. There is another secret and it is found in the Greek words.of 2 Cor 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face (fully exposed) beholding as in a mirror the glory (doxa) of ALHYM are being transformed into the same image from glory (doxa) to glory (doxa), just as by the Spirit of ALHYM. “ The key Greek word is “metamorphoumetha” which is in the present passive tense. This means that when we present ourselves passively to ALHYM then He, through the power of the Holy Spirit will do the transforming in and on each one – to change our “form” or image. It’s like being prepared to an operation and the patient is anesthetised, so that the surgeon can then do his work. 

This “present-passive” combination is found in the words “Born Again” which more accurately translated is “being-born again.” (Jo 3).
This is a process which is known as “justification” or “sanctification” (the same Greek word) or the phrase “being made righteous.” The end of the road is to be made holy as ABBA is holy (1 Pe 1:15-16). 

Fourthly. So what is the operation table, the altar we have to present ourselves to? Is it not the cross? “that the genuineness of your faith (in Christ), being much more precious than gold which perishes, though it is tested by fire may be found to praise, honour, and glory at the revelation of iEsou Christ.” (1 Pe 1:7). Persecution for righteousness’ sake. It is so easy to distance ourselves from the “testing” - the simple decisions which make us choose between acceptance or rejection of people, of standing for the truth, or to even make a decision to stand on Christ’s side, His words. 

Fifthly. We must separate ourselves from the world “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of ALHYM” (Ro 12:2). We are at a “cross-road.” We have to choose of who we want to serve- Joshua challenged Israel (Josh 24:15), as did Elijah (1 Kg 18: 18-19), Paul (2 Cor 6:17), and John (1 Jo 2:15-17). 

Lawrence NZ

March 01 2017 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter ABC/DTS graduate, guitar music ministry Baptist church

What does the Bible say about transformation?

"The motor home has allowed us to put all the conveniences of home on wheels. A camper no longer needs to contend with sleeping in a sleeping bag, cooking over a fire, or hauling water from a stream. Now he can park a fully equipped home on a cement slab in the midst of a few pine trees and hook up to a water line, a sewer line, and electricity. One motor home I saw recently had a satellite dish attached on top. No more bother with dirt, no more smoke from the fire, no more drudgery of walking to the stream. Now it is possible to go camping and never have to go outside. 

"We buy a motor home with the hope of seeing new places, of getting out into the world. Yet we deck it out with the same furnishings as in our living room. Thus nothing really changes. We may drive to a new place, set ourselves in a new surrounding, but the newness goes unnoticed, for we’ve only carried along our old setting. 

"The adventure of new life in Christ begins when the comfortable patterns of the old life are left behind."

--David Roher

Being transformed is mentioned thrice in the Bible:

TRANSFORM - trans-form' (Rom 12:2; the Revised Version (British and American) 2 Cor 3:18 for metamorphoomai {from which we get our English word, "metamorphosis"}, and the King James Version 2 Cor 11:13,14,15 for metaschematizo, the Revised Version (British and American) "fashion"): The commentaries often explain the former word as connoting a change of nature, while the latter refers only to the appearance, but this distinction is probably fanciful.

Instead of being empowered by the Spirit, these ministers Paul spoke about in 2 Cor. 11:13-15 are energized by Satan.

2 Corinthians 11:13-15:
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Three times, Paul used the word transform in referring to their work (see 2 Cor. 11:13-15). This Greek word simply means “to disguise, to masquerade.” There is a change on the outside, but there is no change on the inside. Satan’s workers, like Satan himself, never appear in their true character; they always wear a disguise and hide behind a mask.

"The Revised Version (British and American) 2 Cor 3:18 for metamorphoomai, and the King James Version 2 Cor 11:13,14,15 for metaschematizo, the Revised Version (British and American) "fashion"): The commentaries often explain the former word as connoting a change of nature, while the latter refers only to the appearance, but this distinction is probably fanciful." --ISBE (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia)

July 05 2019 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report