(A thorough and
dramatic change in nature beyond the normal or physical level)
“For we have become
partakers of Christ” (Heb. 3:14). The Christian life is not an imitation of
Christ, it is a participation in Christ. Exceedingly great and precious
promises have been given to us “that through these we may be partakers of the
divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). We must transcend the natural realm, immersing
ourselves in the supernatural nature dwelling within. We must experience the
power of this indwelling life, the resurrected Christ-life, and, relinquishing
our own Self-life, becoming ever more fully possessed of His divine life. In a
word, we desperately need Transformation, the metamorphosis of sin stained
spiritual cripples into beacons of radiant light reflecting the holy nature of
Christ to a world drowning in sin’s darkness. Transformation is the
regenerating life process of “Submit -- Crucify – Renew – Transform”, which
completes the sanctification process of the Holy Spirit as the believer grows
into Christlikeness. In Transformation we willfully submit to the Lordship of
Christ, dying daily to Self and Self’s interests, while willfully setting our
minds on things above... renewing our mind to reflect Christ’s mind, all
willful, purposeful acts. We all want to be spiritually mature... right? That
is our Lord’s summation captured in Matt. 5:48: “Therefore you shall be
perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect”, which pretty much sums up the
purpose of our redeemed life, since the Fruit of the Spirit and our preordained
righteous works are both results of Transformation. So Transformation and
spiritual maturity, our perfection, are one and the same, acquired walking the
same road with our Lord.
Transformation is
itself a result, the product of a renewed mind... the Kingdom mindset, and a
crucified life... the Kingdom lifestyle. If we think of these two operations of
the Holy Spirit as legs of a frog it is clear why we desperately need both
operations active in our life. Frogs without legs drown, and one-legged frogs
tend to go in circles, making little if any forward progress. Ditto the
Christian “frog” who attempts to set its mind Godward while Self rules, or attempts
to crucify Self while maintaining a worldly mindset. When Self rules, it is
preoccupied with its love for the world and this life... Self’s interests. When
our mind is set on earthly things we are focused on what Self desires... again,
Self’s Interests. The goal is to be God ruled, dominated by the Holy Spirit
under the Lordship of Jesus Christ, with a mind set on things above, God’s
Kingdom plans and purposes... God’s Interests! To access and immerse ourselves
in Christ’s supernatural indwelling nature and experience the out flowing power
of His resurrected life, something must die, something must be refocused... and
someone must be willing.
“I AM CRUCIFIED WITH
CHRIST...”
“SET YOUR MIND ON
THINGS ABOVE...”
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