GOD’S WORDS OF TRANSFORMATION

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” – 2 Corinthians 5:17

As we gratefully access a new month and other half of the year, we’ll meditate on GOD’S WORDS of TRANSFORMATION: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor.5:17). Transformation means a marked change in character, form, nature, or appearance, usually for the better. It is the act or process of changing wholly. To be transformed is to change in composition or structure; in character or condition. Life is about transformation: an awkward wiggling caterpillar turning into a colourful winged butterfly; the tiny baby soon grows into a bubbling child, teenager, and adult. Physical transformation is an imperfect reflection of spiritual transformation.

God is a Specialist in Life Transformation: of hearts, minds, bodies, character, status, stories, and destinies. God is the Unchanging and Unchangeable Changer: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Heb.13:8). He is not subject to alteration, deflection, or variation (Jam.1:17). God is infinitely perfect in nature; exalted far above the possibility of change, because He is independent and not limited by factors that cause change. The self-existent God cannot be changed by any force outside of Himself. He is eternal – independent of time and temporality: “who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen” (1Tim.6:16).

Almighty God declared about Himself: “For I am the Lord, I do not change; therefore you are not consumed, O sons of Jacob” (Mal.3:6). Again He says, “Remember the former things of old, for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me, Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure’” (Isa.46: 9-10). God’s unchanging nature is established through the Bible:

“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?” (Num.23:19).

“And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor relent. For He is not a man, that He should relent” (1 Sam.15:29).

God’s moral consistency guarantees His commitment to unchanging principles. He is constant in character and nature. His plans and purposes cannot also be altered by any outside force: “There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the Lord’s counsel – that will stand” (Pro.19:21). God is Omniscient. There is no new information or fresh development that can cause Him to change His mind. He cannot learn something new that He did not already know. His Constancy comes to the fore in turning unpleasant situations around for good for His children. That’s what transformation is all about.

For the Believer in Christ, the most paramount form of change is Spiritual Transformation – a fundamental change in a person from inside-out: “old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new”! Without this, Christianity would be just another religion. What makes the Christian faith and message unique is the promise and reality that if a person is in Christ, he or she becomes a new creation (2Cor.5:17). This is not about trying to be good; but about submitting to the life of God within – the Indwelling Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit. However, God’s Spirit works in harmony with His Word. Therefore, it takes the consistent release of God’s Words for Transformation to take place effectively and sustainably.