While a transformed life does occur overnight, either in a good or bad way. It is the foundation of life that will evolve into a larger picture in the journey of life.
That decision, sometimes a missed step, or being impulsive has become a game changer in our lives. Believers must lived a transformed life. Without spiritual transformation, Christians cannot grow.
Transformation, mostly in all sorts of spheres, is a gradual and ongoing process that stands the test of time. Spiritual transformation is holding tight onto the faith and the decision once taken to follow Christ with the help of the Holy Spirit.
In our initial state of mankind, our innate being is full of hatred, jealousy, and seeking authority over goods, which were inculcated in our mind after the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Gen. 3
Hearing the word, believing, repentance, and confession are the order of salvation only by grace in Christianity. I would not take all the time to explain in detail all the words here for now. Romans 3:20-23, Luke 5:32, Eph. 2:8-9,1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9
Even after being saved, born again in other words, the decision to follow Christ is just the beginning.
It takes time to mature in Christ. Eph. 3:17, 4:13
Divine transformation:
Not every person has experienced a divine encounter in their Christian life. They are not the believer of the existence of God, but are doubtful of divine presence and the salvation offered through the sacrificial work of Christ on the cross.
The encounter is mostly a privilege, but not an easy process, yet very crucial for spiritual transformation.
Saul, later known as Paul, was a religious person who courageously defended his faith in God. However, something is amiss in his religiosity; there is no divine encounter or intervention in his life. He was trained well to safeguard the beliefs, rituals, and traditions, but not to give space for the Holy Spirit.
His divine encounter on the way to Damascus becomes the turning point in his life. The sudden light and the personal revelation of Jesus demonstrated the glory and grace of God.
On the contrary, it left a lifelong impact on his physical frailty, but spiritually transformed him as he followed the voice.
The spiritual transformation:
Paul, the apostle, suffered physical blindness, which also represents his spiritual blindness. He was kept in the dark for three days, fasting and praying. Acts 9:9-12
God heard the prayer of Saul, thus sent Ananias to him for healing, thereby helping him in the ongoing spiritual transformation.
When we have the desire for transformation, God works the wonder – He knows what to do with our life, just as God sent Ananias to Saul.
As per his vision, Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” v.17
The transformation of life:
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9:18-19
Saul was no longer himself; he became the chosen Apostle Paul. He was captivated by experiencing the glory and grace of Christ, thereby becoming God’s chosen instrument.
He was filled with the Spirit; no longer controlled by his own desire and interest, but controlled by the Holy Spirit
now.
Once he surrendered himself to the Holy Spirit, he knew well he was not self-sufficient but only talked about the grace of God by which he became the tool for God. He no longer boasted nor breathed hatred, but humbled himself before God and man.
Results of transformation:
The apostle Paul immediately proclaimed Christ in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God, causing havoc in Jerusalem. He grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
He was once the person who took captives and prisoners of the believers, but he became the main target of his old school. There was a plot to kill him over and over, in many places and at different times.
Just as he wrote many times in his epistles, he was further encouraged by the privilege of suffering in the name of Jesus Christ.
The need for transformation:
When I was a child, I received Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, then a bout of conflict rocked our region. Then I re-dedicated myself to quench my thirst for the living water and be the source of it as well.
I had the privilege of joining several gospel trips and delivering speeches in the church and my workplaces, ranging from being a primary teacher to a banker. However, it was an ongoing process of spiritual transformation for me.
I know I will never be enough for God.
However, my tryst with the chronic neurological disorder, to which I almost lost my life, became a transformation never like before. It changed my life to focus more on God rather than earthly beings. I have been reminded in a very painful way and through experiences that life is fleeting.
Sufferings in transformation:
While it is good for me to suffer for further spiritual transformation, it might not apply to everyone. Some people do get transformed spiritually through the gentle whisper of God, not necessarily through suffering.
Yet one should note that it is good for a man to bear the yoke while he is young. Lam. 3:27. Whether overcoming, surviving, or getting prepared for suffering, it is a process of transformation.
Life is not all about blessings; money and status are on the lower side of blessings. The Lord will provide our needs; he will take care of them.
Rather, the Lord God will provide glory and spiritual riches in accordance with his grace in the kingdom of God for the Kingdom people. Eph. 1:8, 2:7
Transformation in the church:
There is a similar need for spiritual transformation in modern churches as there is for material possessions and appearances, so that it might not be corroded by the evil surrounding the church.
It is not a place for entertainment, simply gathering, and disciplining the weak from one end just for the sake of protecting our roots. It is a place for fellowship of the believers, hearing each other and uplifting each other in the spirit.
The church belongs to God: “Feed my sheep… feed my sheep,” repeated Jesus in his final instruction to the disciples. John 21:15-17
The church is a place of worship providing a meal for spiritual transformation. A transformed life becomes the transformer of his surroundings.