The Process of Change
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed…” 2 Corinthians 3:18
I hope by now we all see the need for change in our lives. Our hope of being made better rests in God and His power. He is determined to bring us to greater and greater levels of spiritual transformation and make us more and more like His Son. Our spiritual transformation reaches its greatest depths when we meet God’s determination with our willingness. Here are some things to enhance our cooperation.
1. Realize your potential for change
“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Cor. 5:17) The journey of transformation begins with the new birth. Because our spirit has been reunited with God’s Spirit we are a new creation...a creation full of potential for growth. Yes, you can change!
2. Remove the hindrances to change
“...when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (2 Cor. 3:16)
The scriptures speak of a veil of spiritual blindness that covers the heart of many that keeps them from seeing the Lord and understanding spiritual things. As believers we have the power to take that veil away. That power is the choice to repent. It is being willing to change. It is turning to the Lord wholeheartedly and humbly asking, “Lord, change me!” Anyone who truly repents will experience God’s transforming power.
We need to repent of the “I don’t really need to change” attitude.
We need to repent of the “I don’t believe I can change” attitude.
We definitely need to repent of the “I don’t want to change” attitude.
When we realize we need to change and sincerely want to change and believe that God is able to change us then we have a repentant heart that will put us in the place where God can transform us.
3. Reflect on the glory of God
“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2 Cor. 3:18)
Once we have truly turned to the Lord we need to learn to linger in His presence. Spiritual transformation doesn’t happen when we “run in and out” of the presence of God. We must learn to linger there. Repentance puts us in the place where we can be transformed. Discipline will keep us there. We learn the spiritual disciplines of fasting, prayer, solitude with God, consistent attendance at church to be under the teaching and preaching of God’s word and other things the Spirit will teach us that help us linger in the place of transformation. As Dallas Willard says, “We must ruthlessly eliminate hurry from our lives.” We must learn to “be still and know that He is God.” (Psalm 46:10)
If the journey of spiritual transformation sounds like work—it is! Our work is to turn in repentance to the Lord and discipline ourselves to spend time in His presence. God’s work is to change us.
Enjoy the journey!
Pastor Dan
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