©2004 Charles Darby
Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Many people confuse the word reform with the word transform. They think if they reform themselves by changing their habits and the way they live, they will be spiritually sound and will experience a good life in heaven when they die. But there is a big difference between reformation and transformation. Reformation is what you do to change yourself; transformation is what God does to change you. Reformation may have the appearance of spirituality, but it lacks the power to help you overcome sin in your life.
We make New Year's resolutions to change a habit or to accomplish a desire, but by February we usually have given up and reverted back to the way we were. Why, because we don't use the ability to keep the resolution. Our heart didn't change. We just had a thought that it would be good if we could. It was not a matter of life or death!
A transformed person has new abilities, in Christ, to become doers of the word of God. We are no longer, self-made people, but we are now part of the family of God. He becomes our strength and our ability, because in Him we live and move and have our very being. Reformation can be self-effort but transformation is God’s work in us. We cannot reform ourselves into the likeness of Christ; we must be transformed. Any reformation we do must come after being transformed, not before.
What does it take to be transformed? Glad you asked! Only the Lord can transform a life. True faith in Him brings about a new heart a new person, not a reformed changed person; but a new person with different desires and new goals. We must admit we cannot live up to God’s standards and ask Him to come live in us. As we submit our life totally to Him it’s not us that lives but Christ in us that lives. He is our life, our holiness, our godliness and our righteousness. In Him we live and move and have our very being. That is not reformation but transformation!
I ask you, are you trying to live a reformed life or have you been transformed by the hand of God. I tried the reformed life and was miserable. When I was transformed, it became joy unspeakable and full of glory. No longer did I have to remember to live right; I am right in Christ!
For instructions
on being Born Again click here. Born Again
Thank you for
visiting and reading.
If you would
like to enter a Prayer Request click here. Prayer Request
