Steps To Life Transformation

Steps to Life Transformation

Luke 5:8-11

Romans 12:1-2

Is life transformation possible, or is the possibility of persons making a radical change in their behavior, character and outlook on life merely a fantasy? Is life transformation a fairytale or a fact?

In the original story of the Beauty and the Beast, Beauty finds the Beast lying in the garden next to a canal near death. She quickly gathered some water from the canal and threw it on his face. The Beast told her that he was glad to see her one more time before he died.

Beauty told the Beast that he would not die because she loved him and could not live without him. At that moment the Beast transformed and became a handsome prince. The prince thanked Beauty for putting an end to his enchantment. The hideous looking Beast was transformed into a handsome prince.

Transformation often happens in fairytales. John Eldredge in his book, “Waking the Dead,” gives examples of transformations in fictional writings, “Phoenix rises from the ashes and Cinderella rises from the cinders to become a queen. The ugly duckling becomes a beautiful swan. Pinocchio becomes a real boy. The frog becomes a Prince. Wretched old Scrooge becomes generous and a friend to all. The Cowardly Lion gets his courage and the Scarecrow gets his brains and the Tin Woodman gets a new heart.

Is life transformation possible for real people? Can Jesus give a person a new nature with new goals and a new perspective on life?

In both Scripture and in life we see transformations. A person walking in sin and darkness begins to follow Jesus and walk in the light of righteousness and holiness.

The Scriptures makes it clear that all people need a transformation not a transfusion. A transfusion may help but it doesn’t touch the core problem – the heart. King David prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” (Psalm 51:10) The Lord promised, “I will give you a new heart.” Ezekiel 36:26

Nicodemus a very religious man, a clean living man, and a model citizen came to Jesus at night. Jesus knew his basic need and said, “Nicodemus you need to be born again.” Nicodemus had a physical birth; he needed to be born from above. He needed a spiritual birth that only God can give.

2 Corinthians 5:17 gives the promise of a life transforming experience, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

The Apostle Paul talks about “Life Transformation” in Romans 12:2, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” The Greek word used here for “transformed” is “metamorphousthe” be metamorphosed - changed by the power of God.

A caterpillar goes through a metamorphous in becoming a beautiful butterfly. By a transforming miracle of God our life is transformed from walking in darkness of sin and rebellion against God and is radically changed into a life committed to loving God with all our heart, mind and strength.

Regardless of whether you are saved from a life that makes the headlines: “I once was a drug dealer, cheat, full of hate, drunkard, atheists and hard hearted, but then Jesus came into my life and took all that bad stuff away.” Or if you have lived a decent life full of self-righteousness, kind and good willed and you came to Jesus and you are now A Christ follower. It takes a miracle of God to transform a life regardless of your background.

We sometimes sing, “It took a miracle to put the stars in place; It took a miracle to hand the world in space; But when he saved my soul, Cleansed and made me whole, It took a miracle of love and grace.”

I asked Steve DeTata to give a testimony of how God has answered prayer in his life and brought life transformation. Steve began coming to Willow Vale in May 2005 the same month he was diagnosed with stomach cancer. Steve prayed and received Jesus as his lord and Savior not long after he started coming to Willow Vale. He gives this witness: “Not only has the Lord answered our prayers regarding my health, but in my personal life and business. I have been so fortunate lately with losing a good deal of business (30%) and then, through prayer and faith that has been replaced with new opportunities that I didn’t expect. It’s totally amazing what the Lord has done in my life lately. I’m so blessed by your prayers, the lessons I’ve learned from the Sunday sermons and our times of individual Bible study together.” (Steve, stand and let us show our appreciation)