And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18
As we yield full submission to God’s sovereignty, His grace takes the next step: It transforms us. Transformation is necessary because the pattern we followed as we traveled the road to death does not align with the pattern required to travel the road to life.
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Ephesians 2:1–3
The pattern followed by those traveling the road to death is based on the cravings of the flesh.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. Galatians 5:19–21
The pattern followed by those traveling the road to life is based on the infilling presence of the Holy Spirit.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22–23
The two patterns could not be more different. One gives life; the other takes life — the two battle against each other.
For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other so that you are not to do whatever you want. Galatians 5:17
Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires, but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God. Romans 8:5–8
Attempting to live by both patterns at the same time is hypocrisy.
With the tongue, we praise our Lord and Father, and with it, we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water. James 3:9–12
Paul wrote about his struggle with both patterns.
For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. Romans 7:18–19
He then writes a powerful faith statement, a declaration of freedom from the pattern of death.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation — but it is not to the flesh to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. Romans 8:12–13
Changing over from the pattern of death to the pattern of life is a dynamic process accomplished by constant trial and testing. That’s why Paul referred to it as putting to death the misdeeds of the body. He later tells us why a process of transformation is required.
Do not conform 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. Romans 12:2
A steward must know the will of the owner to make correct decisions. A renewed mind allows us to think the way God thinks so we can act the way God acts.
We cannot transform ourselves. When we strive to do so, we get ensnared in the pride-traps of legalism, religiosity, and hypocrisy. These poor substitutes for genuine transformation result in changes to outward behavior but do nothing to change the attitudes of the heart and mind. Jesus spoke strong words on this topic.
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside, they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First, clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside, you appear to people as righteous, but on the inside, you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness. Matthew 23:25–28
To be good and faithful stewards, we must rely on God’s way of changing us. We must willingly submit ourselves to God’s transformational grace.
Transformational grace flows to us through five main channels: the Word of God, the prayer of faith, the infilling presence of the Holy Spirit, the Body of Christ, and the mission of God.
As we participate in these five main channels of grace, God changes us, and we experience greater victory over temptation and greater effectiveness in the mission.
No matter how long we travel the road to life, transformation will always be necessary. Why? Because as we gain elevation, the risks increase, and the terrain becomes more difficult. We must rely on God’s transformational grace to prepare us for each stage of the climb, and we must keep in step with the Spirit’s confess-submit cadence. Remember, there is no height of position, maturity, or holiness from which it is impossible to fall. If we ever stop relying on transformational grace, we put ourselves at risk.
