And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV.
I wish a could tell you that instant transformation happens when you come to faith.
If you have expectations of being born again and the faith stars suddenly aligning for you, you likely setting unrealistic expectations as a believer.
In the scripture above, notice it says we are “being transformed.” This illustrates an on-going process.
Becoming a Christian brings along with it Holy Spirit conviction. You should now be uncomfortable by your sinful self and actions. What follows should be a growing desire to transform from the inside out into the likeness of Jesus. Old ways and habits must die because they conflict with the new you.
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified their sinful self. They have given up their old selfish feelings and the evil things they wanted to do.” Galatians 5:24 ERV.
The majority of the hard work will come after accepting Jesus. While Jesus’s “burden is easy and His yoke is light”, this world’s is unfortunately not. In fact expect it to become more hostile towards you now.
After being born again as a believer, you will spend most of your time afterwards growing and maturing in your faith. Hypothetically, you will be learning to crawl and walk again in an unfriendly world, ruled by sin.
This process can be difficult at times. Learning to fight against feelings of lust, envy, and anger can bring you to places of isolation, desperation and prostration.
At the risk of sounding cliche, the butterfly is often used as an example in literature for personal transformation.
Interestingly enough the word metamorphosis is actually the scientific term used to describe the change of a caterpillar into a butterfly.
This word also appears in the bible.
The word transformed in 2 Corinthians 3:18 (referenced above) is actually metamorphoó in the original Greek text(Strongs 3339).
This word also appears in Romans 12:2
“Do not be conformed to this world,[a] but be transformed (metamorphoó) by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.[b](ESV)(greek text and bold emphasis added)
One scripture references being transformed in image ( 2 Corinthians 3:18) while the other references being transformed in mind(Romans 12:2).
And so we spend the majority of our saved life transforming into the image and mind of Christ.
Similarly, a butterfly also spends a large portion of its life in transformation.
A butterfly may only live a few weeks to a month while spending 8-15 days in its “chrysalis” or cocoon.
God teaches us lessons even through nature. You may spend your entire life in a spiritual cocoon, but eventually emerge into the likeness of Christ.
And although we spend the majority of our life growing spiritually, the final transformation only occurs when we leave this world.
“He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.” Philippians 3:21 NLT
Everything we do in this life is leading up to that moment. Perhaps this is the very answer to the age old question “why are we here?”
This is a reminder that salvation is a gift, but faith is an endeavor.
We have to fight our flesh daily in the process of becoming more like Christ.
Take each battle one day at time “And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.” James 1:4 CSB.
The good news is, if you are saved, God has given you all the time you need to accomplish this.
He has already accounted for your mistakes and setbacks and paid for it at the cross.
Because of his actions for us we don’t need to fear. We can now live under the power of grace rather than the power of the grave. Or as Romans 8:2: puts it:
“And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death.”
Don’t be tempted, be transformed.