PARTNERSHIP FOR TRANSFORMATION

“For it is God who works in you both TO WILL and TO DO for His good pleasure” – Philippians 2:13

God initiates in and sustains through us the PARTNERSHIP for TRANSFORMATION: “For it is God who works in you both TO WILL and TO DO for His good pleasure” (Phi.2:13). The Bible and witnesses of changed lives, testify to the reality of transformation. But if we still feel like we’re in a spiritual rut, marking time in our Christian walk, learning about Jesus, but not living like Him, part of the problem might be some faulty assumptions or myths.

Myth 1: Transformation happens instantly at salvation. People come to Christ and expect that their habits, attitudes, and character will change immediately. Yes, Christ alters our eternal destiny at salvation, but that’s the beginning of change.

Myth 2: Transformation continues naturally over time, such that a ten-year-old Christian will have ten years’ worth of spiritual maturity! Not so: Faith does not automatically grow with time!

Myth 3: Transformation is achieved largely by an act of the will – we change by trying and exerting effort. The harder we try the more we’ll grow. If we decide to live a certain way and really focus our internal drive, a definite behaviour will result.

Myth 4: Transformation is best achieved alone. A personal relationship with Christ is assumed to be tantamount to a private relationship with Christ. Just get alone with God in personal devotions and private retreats, and life automatically changes.

The Biblical perspective to Life Transformation can be stated as follows: Life Transformation begins with God, is about training (not trying), requires teaching, and is a team effort (Phi.2: 13-14). The Christian life is not a series of ups and downs, but a process of ins and outs. God works in us while we work out. It is a partnership involving God, the individual believer, teachers, and fellow believers; a process where God works in, we work out, teachers work with, and believers work together.

Truth 1: Life Transformation begins with God (v.13). God has the pioneering role in the life change process. We partner with God. His divine energy works in us and through us: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). God works in us before He can work through us.

Truth 2: Transformation is about training not trying (v.12). We do not “work for” – deserve, earn, or merit – our salvation. It is a free gift of God's grace. We cannot devise our own plan of salvation or relate with God by self-effort. To “work out” is to “work to completion,” such as working out a mathematical problem. People “work a mine” to get out of it all the valuable ore possible; and “work a field” for the greatest harvest possible. We also “work out” when we engage in physical exercise, so as to get in the best possible shape. Therefore, to “work out” our salvation infers a “spiritual workout” or spiritual training.

Truth 3: Transformation requires teaching (v.12). Change rarely happens in a vacuum. Often, we need the counsel and guidance of teachers, and the advice and wisdom of mentors. Paul as a teacher to the Philippians modelled for them and instructed them in the Christ-like life. The teacher was faithful to his calling; the learners were obedient to his instructions. The teacher’s responsibility is to prepare and present the truth; the learner's responsibility is to accept and to apply the truth. The teacher is responsible to the learner, but the teacher is not responsible for the learner.

Truth 4: Transformation is relational – a team effort and partnership (v. 12). Understanding what God has done for us through Christ’s death and resurrection, motivates our spiritual growth and vitality, in gratitude for His sacrifice. And, just as we have a relationship with Christ, we must relate with like-minded believers – for accountability, challenge, encouragement, sharing, and support. Growth is not intended to be a solo event! Transformation happens best in the context of relationships.

Transformation is a partnership: of God, the believer, teachers, and fellow believers!