The Transformational Walk of Discipleship

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Short Summary
The discourse emphasizes the biblical call for believers to reject conformity to the world and their former selves, instead embracing a profound, ongoing transformation through the renewing of the mind as outlined in Romans 12:2. This transformation involves a complete spiritual renewal into a new creation, marked by intentional, sacrificial discipleship and a higher conformity to Christ’s example, supported by God’s grace and protection against deceptive outward changes. Ultimately, it is a lifelong process of becoming increasingly Christlike, sustained by faith, confidence in God’s promises, and the community of believers.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse on Romans 12:2 and the Transformational Journey

Theme Scripture and Context
– Central Scripture: Romans 12:2 (NASB) – *“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”*
– This verse is foundational, often quoted, but here it is deeply examined to understand what true transformation means in the Christian walk.
– The discourse approaches the transformation process by first considering its ultimate goal (the “end”) as revealed in Revelation, then exploring the beginning and the journey.

The Purpose and Outcome of Transformation
– The transformation leads to eternal rewards and glorification:
– Revelation 2:10 – *“Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life.”*
– Revelation 19:7-8 – The “marriage of the Lamb” where the bride (church) is clothed in “fine linen, bright and clean,” symbolizing the righteous acts of the saints.
– Revelation 21:1-4 – The new heaven and new earth, the New Jerusalem adorned as a bride, God dwelling with His people, wiping away tears, and abolishing death, mourning, crying, and pain.
– Transformation is a glorious, eternal, and comprehensive change far beyond human comprehension.

Nonconformity vs. Transformation (Romans 12:2 focus)
– The verse contrasts two states:
1. Conforming to the world – meaning to fashion or align oneself to the patterns, mindset, and lifestyle of the present age or “world.”
2. Being transformed – a radical change by renewing the mind, moving to a higher spiritual standard.
– The Greek word for conform (Strong’s 4964) means to be fashioned alike, to follow the crowd pattern, or agree with prevailing worldly views.
– Christians are called *not* to conform but to be distinctly different, which can feel like “causing trouble” because it means standing apart from social norms and popular culture.

Two Levels of Nonconformity
1. External nonconformity – not aligning with the world system, “this age” (John 18:36: Jesus’ kingdom is not of this world).
2. Internal nonconformity – not conforming to one’s former self or sinful desires (1 Peter 1:13-16). Peter exhorts believers to be holy as God is holy, not conforming to past lusts and ignorance.
– Both external and internal conformity must be broken to allow transformation.

Challenges of Nonconformity
– Difficult because it involves standing out socially and culturally (“like a sore thumb”).
– Harder still is resisting conformity to oneself—old habits, thought patterns, and emotional responses that feel comfortable and “right.”
– The call is to reframe all aspects of life—vocation, comfort, focus—to a higher spiritual purpose.

Examples of Nonconformity in Scripture
– Matthew 4:18-20 – Jesus calls fishermen to become “fishers of men,” spiritualizing their vocation rather than abandoning it.
– Matthew 8:18-20 – Jesus warns that following Him may mean loss of earthly security and comfort (“Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head”).
– Luke 9:23-24 – Followers must deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and be willing to lose their life for His sake to truly save it.

Higher Conformity (Transformation)
– Transformation is not simply rejecting the world/flesh but conforming to Christ (Philippians 4:12-13) and being empowered to endure all things through Him.
– 2 Corinthians 5:14-17 describes the radical renewal: *“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, new things have come.”* This is a new original formation, distinct from the original creation (Mark 10:6).
– Old things include the old Mosaic law (Matthew 5:21) and the old world order ruled by Satan (Revelation 20:1-2), both superseded by the new covenant and kingdom.

Meaning of Transformation (Greek: Metamorpho)
– This transformation is a profound change, like the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:2), where He appeared gloriously different.
– It is not superficial or just habit changes, but a complete remaking of character and spiritual nature, ongoing and gradual (not instantaneous).
– 2 Corinthians 3:14-18 contrasts the veiled blindness of Judaism under the law with the unveiled glory and transformation into Christ’s image by the Spirit.

Transformation Is a Process
– It involves justification, adoption, consecration, holiness, and resurrection (quotes from Brother Russell).
– It requires intentional, focused, sacrificial effort in bending will, intellect, emotions, actions, and character towards Christlikeness.
– Failure and falling are expected, but repentance and persistence are crucial. God sees the effort of the new creation, not the old fallen self.

What Transformation Is NOT
– Not to be confused with superficial or external disguise (Greek word for “transforming” used in 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 about false apostles and Satan disguising as an angel of light).
– True transformation is from the inside out; false transformation is external and deceptive.
– Christians are called to “put on Christ” and “put on the armor of light” (Romans 13:11-14) — this is an identifying and transformative covering, not a mask or disguise.
– 1 Corinthians 15:53 describes putting on incorruption and immortality, the ultimate transformation.

Encouragement and Assurance for the Transformational Walk
– Romans 8 offers confidence and assurance:
– God works all things for good for those called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28-30).
– God justifies and glorifies His elect (Romans 8:31-34).
– Nothing can separate believers from the love of God in Christ (Romans 8:35-39).
– These assurances encourage perseverance in the difficult process of transformation.

Summary and Final Thoughts
– Transformation is learning to be out of alignment with the world and self, focusing on Christlikeness from the inside out.
– Constant vigilance is necessary against Satan’s disguises, while actively “putting on Christ and light.”
– Transformation is supported and energized by the Father and Jesus.
– The walk is individual yet communal within the body of Christ.
– The journey is difficult but leads to eternal glory and fellowship with God, as promised in Scripture.

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Key Bible Verses Cited:

– Romans 12:2 (NASB)
– Revelation 2:10
– Revelation 19:7-8
– Revelation 21:1-4
– John 18:36
– 1 Peter 1:13-16
– Matthew 4:18-20
– Matthew 8:18-20
– Luke 9:23-24
– Philippians 4:12-13
– 2 Corinthians 5:14-17
– Mark 10:6
– Matthew 5:21
– Revelation 20:1-2
– Matthew 17:2
– 2 Corinthians 3:14-18
– 2 Corinthians 11:13-15
– Romans 13:11-14
– 1 Corinthians 15:53
– Romans 8:28-39
– Revelation 2:17 (new name on white stone)

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Summary Keywords: Transformation, Nonconformity, Romans 12:2, Renewing of mind, New creation, Revelation, Crown of life, Marriage of Lamb, New Jerusalem, Conformity to world, Conformity to self, Spiritual renewal, Christlikeness, Internal change, External disguise, Put on Christ, Armor of light, Perseverance, Assurance, Grace, Salvation, Faithful unto death.

Transcript

And in some ways, this discourse fits that journey, and essentially, brethren, it fits the journey of every one of you.

We’re different. We’re different. We have to be different. Our theme scripture is Romans 12:2. Do not be conformed.

It’s on the wall. It’s everywhere. Okay? It’s on the little pads. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

I’m reading from the New American Standard Bible. So that’s the scripture. We all know it. We’ve quoted the Scripture thousands of times. So what does it actually mean to be transformed by the renewing of our minds?

To be able to comprehend the process, we need to recognize what the results of this transformation will look like. So we’re going to start with the end, and then we’re going to go through from the beginning and work our way towards that end. Here’s what the transformation of Romans 12:2 leads to, and we’re going to look at three scriptures in Revelation, because literally, that’s going to help reveal what this is all about. In the message to the Church of Smyrna, it shows us that the work of transformation and its Conclusion In Revelation 2:10, a scripture you all know, Revelation 2:10, we always quote the last part, but we don’t normally quote the first part.

For none of those things which thou shalt suffer. Behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that you may be tried, that you shall have tribulation 10 days. Then it says, be thou faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life. Death, a crown of life. Revelation 19 gives us a glimpse, and these are only glimpses of what this crown of life that comes from this transformation will bring.

Revelation 19, verses 7 and 8. Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to him. For the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean. For the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

Transformation. The righteous acts of the saints. Essentially, this is saying that the righteous acts of those who follow, those who are called according to his purpose, are what you are clothed in in this picture in Revelation. Let’s go a little bit further. Revelation 21 gives us a glimpse of what this marriage of the Lamb and his bride will accomplish.

So it’s not just a uniting, it’s a uniting for a very specific, dynamic purpose. Revelation 21:1, 4 Again, scriptures that we all know. Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth for the first heaven and the first earth passed away and there was no longer any sea, and I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. The city is made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and he will dwell among them, and they shall be his people, and God himself will be among them, and He. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

And there will no longer be any death, there will no longer be any mourning or crying or pain for the first things have passed away.

That’s what this marriage of the Lamb accomplishes. The city adorned as a bride for her husband, the wiping away of tears. That’s what the mission is. This is not. I love God, I love Jesus.

Let me dedicate myself. This is being dedicated to something that is transformational in a glorious way with an eternal result. We can rightfully conclude that this transformation we’re called to be engaged in is bigger, broader, and far more powerful and focused than any anything our feeble human minds can even begin to comprehend. Okay, so how do we understand this transformation? And how do we engage in all that it requires?

Well, the brethren in Phoenix have decided that this needs a discourse and a panel discussion all on one verse. So here’s what we’re going to do. It’s a two part approach. Part one is this discourse. Now, today we’re going to be defining the mechanics of the what of this transformation, and we’ll outline its requirements in part two.

That will be the panel discussion tomorrow. We’re going to look at several aspects of the practicality of the how of living a life that is undergoing this process of transformation. So now let’s get started. That was the introduction. Okay, now let’s get started with the verse.

Romans 12:2, do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and we’re going to stop there because that’s all we’re talking about this morning. We’re talking about the two pieces that be not conformed and be transformed. The rest of the verse will be addressed in the context of our panel discussion. So the first thing we notice in this verse is a contrast between being conformed and being transformed.

There is a dramatic contrast. Paul is telling us that we cannot be transformed unless. Unless. Unless we first take ourselves out of conformity, out of conformity. What does that mean?

Well, the word for conform means to fashion alike. That’s Strong’s number 4964. To conform to the same pattern. The Greek English lexicon says to conform oneself, that is one’s mind and character to another’s pattern. To fashion oneself according to.

So conform is everybody’s kind of doing the same thing, going in the same pattern, agreeing along the same lines. That’s conformity, and usually with conformity comes happiness, because now nobody is bucking the system, and everybody likes everybody because we conform, and here the apostle is saying, be not conformed. So he’s basically saying, cause trouble.

Not exactly, but that’s kind of what it can feel like. Okay, that’s kind of what it can feel like. There’s a couple of things that we want to look at with this understanding of conformity. There’s two basic levels of nonconformity that we are scripturally told to adhere to. Two areas that we have to stay away from normal.

The first one is in this verse in Romans 12:2 a teach us to not be conformed to this world, to this age. This nonconformity that the apostle Paul is bringing us here in Romans 12:2 is. Is the external big picture of what we are to be out of alignment with. Okay, now I want to pause here for a second. When you think of alignment, most of us don’t use that word too often.

Unless you’re talking about your car. You know, you got to get your wheels aligned. What happens when the wheels are not aligned? The car pulls to one direction or another. It doesn’t go the way it’s supposed to.

The apostle is saying, you’re supposed to be out of alignment. You’re supposed to be pulling the car a different direction. He’s saying, you’re not supposed to be going exactly the same way. Everyone else is. One quick example of Jesus himself modeling.

This is in John 18:36, and it’s a very, very important text as a sort of a theme for us to make sure that we hold onto through our nonconformity. Jesus is being tried to be crucified. Says Jesus answered, my kingdom is not of this world. The word world means cosmos or arrangement.

If my kingdom were of this world, then my servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But as it is, my kingdom is not of this realm. He’s saying, my kingdom is completely out of alignment with everything else that you see here. You don’t have to worry about anything. My kingdom is far different than I am not looking to disrupt or take over your system.

Jesus was eventually going to replace it all. That’s a different story. Jesus Kingdom was not of the spiritual leadership which is now under Satan, and we’re going to talk a little bit more about this tomorrow. As the Messiah, he was dramatically out of conformity with all that was happening.

So our message is we are to not be in conformity with this age, this period of time in which we currently live. Brethren, that’s hard to do because we have this concept of our social media, our social approach to things and everybody likes it when everybody’s in order and when you’re not, you hear about it really fast. But it says be not conformed. Not veer off a little bit and maybe they won’t notice. This is be not conformed.

This is a direct admonition from the apostle, don’t be in the world’s camp. That’s what he’s telling us. So that’s the big picture of what nonconformity is. This word for conform, interestingly, is only used one other time in the entire New Testament. That other time is in Peter.

And Peter encourages us to be non conforming to the more personal part of our own lives. So it’s basically Peter is saying in these verses. I’m going to read them in a moment. Brother Rick, don’t conform to yourself. That’s what he’s saying.

Listen first Peter 1:13 to 16 therefore, and therefore is because you were called to follow Jesus. Prepare your minds for action. Keep sober in spirit. Fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children.

Do not be conformed to. To what? To the former lusts, longing, desire, cravings which were yours in your ignorance. Don’t be conformed to who you were. But verse 15.

Like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior. Because it is written, you shall be holy. For I am holy. You think about that. What you were is not holy.

Therefore be not conformed to me. I should not be conformed to me, because that is unholy and my striving is to be conformed to the holiness of our Father. This non conformity is the more personal internal picture of what we are. To be out of alignment with. Peter is telling us to no longer be aligned with, to no longer be in the same mindset with what each of us has once known and once followed as acceptable ways of living, thinking, processing of our emotions.

So leave yourself behind now, it’s not exactly that, but it is saying that all of your mental processing, your emotional responses, need to be put into the context, the context of what you are called to, not where you were called from. That’s a big difference, and brethren, this is hard to do. It’s hard enough to not be conformed to the world because you stand out like a sore thumb. It’s harder to not be conformed to myself because I think I’m right.

I’m comfortable with where I am. I’ve always done it that way. I’ve always thought this way, I’ve always reacted this way. Can you blame me? Because, fill in the blank.

Be not conformed to yourself. That’s what Peter is telling us. So, taking a look at this initial examination of non conformity, let’s look at the concept of the transformational walk of a true disciple. By definition, our transformation must begin. Transformation begins with the decision to dramatically step out of conformity with the world in which we live, as well as dramatically stepping out of conformity with the thoughts, feelings, habits and direction of our earthly lives.

This has to be an intentional action, not a consequential action. There’s a big difference. I want to say something here just to make sure that I’m well, not to make sure because I’ll probably be misunderstood, but that’s okay.

What I’m not suggesting, brethren, is that the scriptures are saying, well, don’t be your, your own, your emotional self anymore. That’s not what we’re suggesting. What we’re saying is that whatever it is that we were, we need to conform it to a higher spiritual standard. Side note, we’re not getting into this. The scripture says be angry and sin not.

It doesn’t say you can’t be angry. It just says, make sure you’re angry somehow becomes productive. Another subject. We need to put aside the humanness of our responses and temper them with the spirituality of discipleship in Christ. That’s what we’re saying.

The humanness doesn’t go away. It just needs to be redefined in the context of following Jesus. Okay? This call to nonconformity is a stark reminder of the life of a prospective church member. What so?

And you know, we’re making this pretty dramatic and we’re trying to do that on purpose. Why the drama? Why the drama? Brethren, we read some scriptures in Revelation. To begin, you realize that this call to Christ is the biggest, most radical call that the human race has ever or will ever see.

This is not some little thing. I joined a church I feel better. That’s not what this is. This is a call to transformation. This call we don’t see going ever, ever, ever coming again.

This is something that is just, just big. Jesus showed us all his. I’m sorry. Showed all of his disciples the value of this call to follow him several times and in several ways. Let’s look at a little bit about this, this call, this non conformity.

Nonconformity requires a different, higher perspective regarding what our comfort in life is going to look like. I’m sorry, I skipped one regarding what our vocation in life looks like. Our vocation? Your vocation is what you do for a living. Okay.

Nonconformity requires a different. Look at that. Let’s look at Matthew 4, 18:20. Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee and he saw two brothers, Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea, and for they were fishermen.

And he said to them, follow me, and you know what he said? Right? I will make you fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed him.

They did go back to fishing, but they followed him. What was the point of what Jesus said? He was talking to them, where they lived. These are fishermen. I am calling them to follow me.

I. I want you to understand that whatever it is you are doing in your physical life, I am going to spiritualize it. I’m going to make you fishers of men. Eventually they stopped fishing once Pentecost came and all of that. But the point is, Jesus was saying, yes, you work for a living. He’s not suggesting people stop working for a living.

Don’t misquote me on that. But he is saying that is that you now have a different meaning for what you do. That’s what nonconformity is.

Quick side story. In the business I’m in, and I don’t want to get into details, but a lot of people don’t ever retire because they love doing what they’re doing, and I’ve been talking about that with some of my superiors, and they’re like, why would you retire?

And my answer is, because what I do here is for the purpose of what my life is really all about. That’s why, and it’s a matter of looking at things in a different way than the average person. There is a different perspective regarding what we do. It’s now for a higher reason.

Next point. Nonconformity requires a different, higher perspective regarding what our comfort in life will look like. Matthew 8, 18, 20. Now, when Jesus saw a crowd around him, he gave orders to depart to the other side of the sea. Then a scribe came and said to him, teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.

He was moved by what Jesus had said. I want to follow you, and Jesus said to him, the foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. What was the message? The message is, you’re inspired by what you have heard.

But are you willing to live the life that is required by what was said?

I don’t know where I’m sleeping tomorrow. Is that what you mean by following me? See, many times it’s not understood that following after Christ means there is, in an earthly way, an unsettled future. You don’t know what’s going to happen sometimes. So the comfort in our life is redefined.

And for Jesus, the physical discomfort of place to place, person to person, preaching, healing, dealing with the Pharisees and all of that was the most comfortable life he could have lived because it was doing the will of his Father, and there’s great comfort in that, and that’s different than the world expects. Next non conformity point. Nonconformity requires a different, higher perspective regarding what our focus in life will be.

Luke 9:23 24. Jesus was saying to them all, if anyone wishes to come after me, okay, what do we do? He must deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it. But whoever wishes to lose his life for my sake, he is the one who will save it.

This is a statement that says, following me is not conforming to what was. Because anything that you were preserving and protecting and taking care of no longer is of any consequence in relation to the higher calling of where I am going. So if you want to follow me. He used one of the most dramatic, scary examples in that day. Take up your cross.

They all knew what that meant. That was horrible, and follow me, he was telling them, this is not conforming to anything you’ve ever seen. Overall, non conformity, brethren, requires a different, higher conformity be put in place, and that’s what those last several points have been.

It’s looking at this higher conformity. Conformity is something that’s bigger, that’s higher. Philippians 4, 12, 13. The apostle says, I know how to be abased. I know how to abound everywhere in all things.

I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer. Need time? Let’s pause before reading the next part of the verse. What he’s saying is, whatever it is, if I’m hungry, if I’m beaten, if I’m imprisoned, if I’m shipwrecked, if I’m blessed, if I’m preaching, I’m good, doesn’t matter, and the next verse is why I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

That’s the new conformity. So when it says be not conformed to this world, we’re looking at looking at this nonconformity in a very, very, very, very big way in terms of how the pieces come together. Now we can begin to comprehend what our transformation truly entails. Let’s go deeper. Okay, now we’re going to begin to get to the transformation part that’s about non conforming.

Second Corinthians 5, 14, 16, for the love of Christ controls us. Having concluded this that one died for all, and therefore all died, and he died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for him who died and rose again on their behalf. Therefore, because of what Jesus did, from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh. Here’s where transformation starts to take its focus. We recognize no one according to the flesh.

Even though we’ve known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know him in this way no longer Saul of Tarsus knew Jesus of Nazareth. That’s what he’s saying. I knew him, I didn’t like him. I knew him. I don’t see him the way I saw him.

Therefore, we are no longer conforming to the way we have known one another up until now. So now the idea of this non conforming and this transforming takes on how you see what’s around you. The next verse, 2nd Corinthians 5, 17. Therefore, because of our non conformity to what was, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away.

Behold, new things have come.

A new creature. The word for new means new, especially fresh.

And the word for creature or creation means an original formation.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new original formation. Okay, a new original formation. Well, let’s pause for a second and let’s compare. What’s the old original formation? What’s the old one?

Well, that is found in Mark, chapter 10, verse 6, using the same word for creation. Mark 10:6. But from the beginning of creation, God made them all male and female. That’s the old creation. Now that’s not a bad creation.

But this is a new creation. So this new creation is in direct contrast to the original creation of the world, and all in it. That was a good creation. As a matter of fact, when God finished, what did he say?

Very good. But this is new. This wasn’t around when that was happening, and then he says in 2nd Corinthians 5:17, you’re a new creation. Old things have passed away.

Well, old things. What are a couple of old things that have passed away? Using the same Greek word for old, which is 744, original or primeval, that which was from the beginning of men, things, times and conditions. The contrast of the new creation to old things is dramatic. Let’s give you two examples of old.

And we’re making the point because this is what transformation is built upon. First, the law, Matthew 5:21. You have heard it said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill. Whoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment that them of old time is the same word. Old things have passed away.

Literally, the law has now passed away. The law was nailed to the cross. Because of this new creation. We are to conform to the law of Christ and not to the old law, because it was there to lead us to Christ. So you have this new thing.

Now remember, in the Old Testament, the law was the only way imperfect humanity had a barometer for what sin looked like. Wasn’t a bad thing. But in the context of the new creation, be not conformed, but be transformed. It’s no longer relevant. It’s done its job in the past.

We no longer conform to that old law. Second, old thing is the ruler of this world. Revelation 20, verses 1 to 2. I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand, and he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent. Same word for old.

Old things have passed away, which is the devil and Satan, and bound him a thousand years. Jesus did not conf. Conform to the order of this world order of Satan’s world, and here we’re reminded that Satan’s power and influence is that of the old order. Done over, past, finished, have nothing to do with it.

So this new creation, this new original formation, understand that the call to follow Jesus didn’t exist until Jesus was baptized and received the Spirit. It didn’t exist, and now it does, and now you’re called to it. So this transformational walk of a true disciple, our intentional decision to step out of the conformity with all that belongs to the sinful present world and our sinful flesh is supported and inspired by the magnitude of what we’re called to, the requirements and privileges of new creation clearly define the changes that each called out.

One must embrace. We have to not merely accept, but embrace the changes very quickly. Two other contexts which help us define the meaning of what this transformation is all about. You know, this idea of. Hang on one second.

Yeah, the word for transformation, I forgot to define it. Sorry about that. So be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. That word transformed, we’re all familiar with that. That’s the metamorpho word, metamorphosis.

Something was something, and then it’s transformed into something else. This similar word to similar to the word of being not conformed. Remember, the word conformed is only used twice else twice in Scripture. Once about being conformed to the world, once about being conformed to yourself. Well, this word for transformation is only used in three different New Testament contexts.

I’m just going to briefly touch on the two others because it helps us understand what it means be transformed. You’re different. This is not just being a feeling renewed brethren. It’s not feeling. It’s not just establishing new habits.

It’s not putting away maybe the way we used to describe things. It is being different. The other two uses of this word for transformation. One was on the mount of transfiguration, Matthew 17:2, and Jesus was transfigured before them.

And his face did shine like the sun, and his raiment was white as light. He went up to the mountain as a man, and in the vision, in the vision that they saw, he was changed. He was different. He did not appear as a mere man, but he appeared in a spiritual way.

And it reminds us, it says, his face did shine as the sun. It reminds us of this Son of righteousness in Malachi 4 2. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings, and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. The vision, the point of the transformation vision was to model the transformation into spiritual being.

It was to model you were once one thing and you’re now different. Get it out of our heads that what we were can kind of drag along for the ride. It doesn’t. It can’t. By definition, it has to be put away.

And brethren, that’s why for most of us, when you look and you go, I’m not going to do this. But if we did go around, say, well, how long have you been consecrated? You can have a lot of years in a lot of instances. Why? Because the concept and the principle of actually having transformation Take effect isn’t in a moment, that’s when the change happens.

That’s in a moment, the transformation, that’s in a lifetime, that’s in the learning, that’s in the getting up and falling down.

Paul Contrasting the veiled approach of Judaism under the law of liberty of Christ is the other time that this word for transformation is used, and we’ll go quickly over this. Second Corinthians 3, 14, 18. But their minds were hard for until this very day, at the reading of the Old Covenant, the same veil remains. They just couldn’t see Judaism.

They were blinded by their limitations, and he says the veil is removed because of Christ. But to the day, whenever, to this day, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts, and I’m going to paraphrase the rest of the verse in Christ, that veil is removed, and he says, beholding a mirror of the glory of the Lord and being transformed into, into the same image from glory to glory, just from the Lord, the Spirit being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.

Humanity was created, and that was part of a creation that was very good. There was glory in the human creation, and that human creation will be blessed forever. But the point is you’re being transformed from that glory to the glory of the Lord Jesus. That’s different, and it didn’t exist.

No wonder consecration is hard, and reprint 30, 43,040. Just a couple of quick quotes. Brother Russell says this transforming of our characters is not instantaneous, but gradual. In our minds, wills, hearts, characters, through justification, adoption, consecration, holiness, resurrection.

It’s gradual. You got to take it piece by piece. Nobody absorbs it all very, very, very, very quickly. Except Stephen. He’s an interesting example.

Maybe talk about him another time. Six months and he was faithful unto death. You look at that example and you say, man, what he must have been like.

True transformation brings us to a complete remaking of what we are.

How you doing with that? A complete remaking of what we are now. While who we are, entity, wise, remains the same. What we are is completely transformed, and that’s the beauty of this, even to the point of being given a new name.

Revelation 2:17 says, he who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches, to him who overcomes. I will give to some, give some of the hidden manna, and I will give him a white stone and a new name written on a stone which no one knows, but he who receives it. The transformation is accentuated by being given a new name. You’re different. You were once that, and now, by God’s grace, this is what you have been transformed to.

So the transformational walk of true discipleship. Our transformation, brethren, is a process. We’ve established that, and it requires intentional, focused, sacrificial development here and now. Intentional, focused, sacrificial development here and now.

We’re not expected to become perfect in this life. Thank the good Lord for that. We are expected, though, to bend our will, to bend our intellect, to bend our emotions, to bend our words, our actions, our characters, all towards Christlikeness, knowing that our Father will see our efforts from those of his new creation and not as the efforts of a fallen human being. That’s part of the transformational process. We can’t do it perfectly.

And we’re going to fall.

And it’s okay to fall as long as with that fall, we get up and we have that repentance and we ask for forgiveness, and we brush ourselves off and we try again, and then we’re going to fall. But our Father, because he loves us, sees the effort not as the old Rick Seraci, that human being, sinful and destined for death, but by his grace, sees what his spirit is developing in me and in us, a new creation that never existed. That’s what he sees. Okay, that gives you a sense of transformation. Now let’s take a moment and look what transformation is not, because it’s important to delineate between the two.

There’s another Greek word which is also translated into English as transformation. This, however, is an external change, and though it sometimes is used, this word is used in a positive sense. It definitely is used as a warning against outside in transformations. This word for transformation is Strong’s number 3345, and it means to transfigure or to disguise.

Now, it can be used positively, but we want to just make an important point here. According to Scripture, what’s the difference between our transformation and the transformation in the following Scriptures? And I’m asking a question. You’re going to know the answer pretty quickly, pretty easily. 2nd Corinthians 11, 13, 15.

For such are false prophets, deceitful workers, transforming themselves. That’s this other word for transformation. Transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ, and no marvel for Satan himself is also transformed into an angel of light, disguised. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as ministers of righteousness whose end shall be according to their works.

Some translations use the word disguised. Brethren, let’s be clear. There can be things around us that look like they’re transformed, but in fact are Merely disguised. They’re disguised. Satan and his servants do transform themselves, but that transformation is not the same.

That is from the outside in. If I cover myself over, nobody’s going to know it’s me. Why? Why do they do that? To look like an angel of light or an apostle of Christ.

Why? Why is it there? It’s to attempt to stop the true inside out transformational process of the development of the new church. We have to be on the alert. That kind of transformation is purely unacceptable and it’s to be avoided.

It’s part of walking away from what was. Because it’s driven by Satan who appears as an angel of light. Can’t go there. We just can’t go there. We are to put on Christ now that putting on Christ is an outside inactivity.

It’s taking something from the outside and putting it on you. So what’s the difference between this and Satan putting on the appearance of an angel of light? Because we have scriptures that say, well, put on Christ. Well, let’s take a look. Romans 13, 11, 14.

This is part of our transformation. Do this knowing the time that is already. I’m sorry. Doing this knowing that it is already hour for you to awaken from sleep. For now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

The night is almost gone, the day is near. Therefore lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. You’re putting something on, and that word for putting on it means. It’s interesting, the little word, it’s strong.

1746. It means to invest with clothing. Or the Greek English lexicon says to sink into clothing. It’s kind of an interesting word. Put on the armor of light.

Let us behave properly as in the day. Not in carousing and drunkenness or sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and. But put on, sink into putting on the clothing of the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh. That’s transformation. Put on Jesus and sink into the.

The identifying with discipleship. Become what the clothing is showing you what it’s doing for you. That’s what this is talking about.

This word for put on is used to describe clothing, not a disguise. Spiritually. To put on the armor of light and to put on Christ is to be covered and therefore to be a part of what you have put on. You are becoming. When you put on the armor of God, you are a soldier of Christ.

That’s the identification, that’s what the transformation is. It’s not just from the inside out, but it has to be, we have to put on those things so that we can be different, fundamentally different.

One more verse on this. First Corinthians 15:53. For this corruptible must put on, must sink into the identification of incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. That’s where we’re going.

So in our transformational walk, true sacrificial discipleship requires us to be aware of any and all disguises that Satan and his servants may use for the purpose of derailing our ongoing transformational process. So instead of buying into those disguises that are put on, let us rather put on Christ and the armor of light as ways of insulating, protecting us from any and all darkness.

Beginning to wrap this up, transformation from the old to the new, from earthly to spiritual, from our will to his will. Brethren, that is hard. I think that’s probably pretty evident by now, and maybe you listen to this and you’re saying this is kind of scary. You know, this is more than maybe I feel like I can do.

And I get that. I get that because we’re human and we all have those doubts. Well, I don’t know if I can. I don’t know if. I don’t know if.

Well, there’s answers for that.

By grace and wisdom of God. We’re given many, many scriptures and examples to keep us focused. In closing, here’s just one set of scriptures written for the benefit of this transformation. So we’re just going to read through them and break them into pieces. First, we’re going to go to Romans 8.

Again, these are scriptures you’re familiar with. First, we have the confidence builder, and that’s what we have. First, the first point, confidence builder. That those in Christ are profoundly guided by their father. Romans 8, 28, 30.

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good. To those who love God and to those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that he would be the firstborn among many brethren. Firstborn among many brethren. Because it’s a new creation, never happened before.

That’s why he’s the firstborn, and those whom he predestined, he also called, and those whom he called, he also justified, and those whom he justified, he also glorified. The confidence builder is everything works together for good.

To those that love God. That gives us confidence in this call to be not conformed to the world and not conformed to the flesh. The second point Built on that confidence builder is conclusive evidence. We have conclusive evidence that our battle is not invaded because Jesus was faithful. Continuing in Romans 8, 31, 34, what shall we say to these things?

For if God is for us, who’s against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but delivered him over for us all, how will he not he, God, not also with Him? Jesus freely give us all things. Who will bring a charge against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies, who is the one who condemns Christ.

Jesus is he who died, yes, rather, who was raised. So who is at the right hand and who also intercedes for us. That’s conclusive evidence that where you are going, what you are called to, what you are non conforming, the reason you are nonconforming and what you are transforming into is something solid and eternal and glorious beyond our thinking. So we’ve got the confidence builder, we’ve got the conclusive evidence, and now next comes the conviction.

We have the conviction that a life lived for Christ is a life of ultimate overcoming. Romans 8. Let’s read verses 39, 35 to 35 to 37. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Okay, who’s going to separate us? Well, tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword.

Just as it is written for your sake, we are being put to death. All day long we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered. But in all these things we are overwhelmingly conquering through him who loved us. That’s the conviction. That’s what Paul writes with what can possibly separate me from the love of Christ?

The one thing left off of that list was himself. No external source can take us away, so we’ve got the confidence, the conclusive evidence, the conviction, and finally, in verses 38 and 39, we have the confirmation that nothing can separate us because we are his children. Verse 38 in Romans 8, 38 and 39, I am convinced.

Are we convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor death, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord? That is the work of transformation. Our transformation is the process of learning to be out of alignment with the world and our desires and instead to intentionally focus on developing Christlikeness from the inside out. We need to be continually aware of the disguises and deceptions Satan uses, while continually covering ourselves with Christ and with light. Our transformation is continuously fed and encouraged by our Heavenly Father and through our Lord Jesus.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

We walk individually, and yet we walk as a body. That is how the transformation works. May the Lord add His blessing.

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