Sunday's Sentiments - Change I Can Believe In

It's all about change lately, isn't it??

You know the drill.  Hope for change and change for hope.  Yes we can.  Become a better you.  Your best life now.

No one is satisfied with the status quo.  There must be a better life, a better you, and a better tomorrow just around the corner.

Scripture calls it "transformation".  But how does this transformation take place, and what is the result?

"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)

"For God, who said, 'Let the light shine out of darkness,' has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."  (2 Corinthians 4:6)

Transformation takes place through beholding the glory of the Lord, through the face of Jesus.

Not through knowing ourselves, knowing our hearts, or becoming self-actualized.  Not through an extensive list of rules and regulations, creeds or rituals.

Knowing Jesus.  Fixing our eyes upon Him, the Author and Perfecter of our faith.

And just how will we be transformed? 

You may not like this.  I often don't, that's for sure.

We will be transformed into the image of Christ.  Jesus, the humble, obedient servant of God.

"Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."  (Philippians 2:6-8)

"I . . . urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love. . . . " (Ephesians 4:1-2)

"Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."  (Philippians 2:3-4)


That is the transformation I seek.  Not to be exalted, but to be laid low.  Not to find myself, but to lose myself for the sake of Him Who lost everything that I might gain Him. 

That, my friends, is Change I Can Believe In.