How many times have you heard something like this after a church service…”we had so many changed lives today!” or “there were all kinds of transformed lives at our 10 am service!”
Problem is, this really isn’t true…or at least, it doesn’t tell the whole truth and as an attorney, I am all about the whole truth. ; ) Seriously, the problem with this thinking is, well, it is not based in reality because often the “transformed life” ends up looking a lot like the old life it supposedly replaced. I know when I surrendered my life to Jesus that the COURSE of my life changed in an instant, but my life certainly wasn’t “changed” or “transformed.” Again, I believe my destiny was changed, but my life? Not even close. I still had many of the same issues (and am still working on some!) when I went home that day than I did before my “life was changed.” As a church, we do a huge disservice by telling people that their lives have been “transformed” by simply saying a prayer because, when they still struggle with the same sin, they will 1. think that maybe their salvation didn’t “take” 2. think something is wrong with them 3. feel judged by others who seem to have it together 4. begin to doubt that God “works” 5. think, “hey, I’m saved” and then go on to live with no evidence of God in their lives and not see the issue with that 6. some combination of these or other things.
The truth of the matter is that a life “transforms” over many years. The Apostle Paul, in the book of Romans, reminds us to “be transformed by the renewing of our minds.” He also encourages us by letting us know that “He who began a good work in you will complete it…” I don’t see anything in the Scriptures that shows me that we change our behaviors/actions and many of our beliefs in an instant. It is a slow, and many times, painful, process of maturing in Christ.
Having your world “transformed” in an instant is like any other get rich/lose weight scheme, it is simply too good to be true. So, take heart, if you are in the process of being transformed, you are in good company. Keep fighting the good fight…
Great Insight and Encouragement !
Thanks Brent… too often I think we aren’t honest enough about the tough journey of following Christ and what it takes to see a life transformed.
Agree..and then we lose our open transparency….that which we had when we first came to Christ…..because we begin to think that we are the only ones still messed up…and in that place we can’t help one another walk the journey.
better wording would be……..and without transparency we can’t help one another walk the journey.