Transformation......or what's the point?

New Beginnings has identified three values that we(our pastoral staff) strive for our members-regular attenders to embody, to not only learn, but to live out. Those three values are: Biblical, Transformational & Missional.

• Biblical means relating to, or being in accord with the Bible. At New Beginnings we preach, teach, and live the Bible.
• Transformational is the act, process, or instance of transforming or being transformed.Transformation is the operation of change.New Beginning's disciples understand that they will be intentionally and continually changing-growing toward spiritual maturity.
• Missional is all things concerning God's mission: missionaries, mission fields, mission giving, mission saving, mission sending, mission going and mission living. Every member at New Beginnings Church is a missionary who lives God's mission in the unique context in which God has placed them.

This word "transformation" has been on my heart the past few weeks.Each of the above three values work "hand in glove". You could be all biblical and not allow God to transform you, growing toward spiritually maturity or to become missional. We know the Pharisees knew more about scripture than the commoner. Elevated to elite religious status of their day and yet we would use the term "Pharisee" today in a negative term. Defining someone as a "Pharisee" would be synonymous with calling them a hypocrite. All knowledge, no transformation. Romans 2:13 says, "For the hearers of the law are not righteous before God, but the doers of the law will be declared righteous."

A person could be all missional. All about serving, but very little or no bible knowledge. They are caught up in the passion, emotion or even legalism of serving, yet lack the understanding of who and why they are really serving in the process. Titus 3:5 says "He saved us— not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit."

But is it really possible to be transforming-growing toward spiritual maturity, without being biblical and/or missional? How can that happen? Where does spiritual growth come from? Titus 3:5, "according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit." 1 Peter 2:2-3 " Like newborn infants, desire the pure spiritual milk, so that you may grow by it for your salvation, ³ since you have tasted that the Lord is good."

As we grow in our understanding and spiritual maturity, how are our hearts being transformed?

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 says " If I speak human or angelic languages but do not have love,
I am a sounding gong or a clanging cymbal. ² If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries
and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing.
³ And if I donate all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing."

 As we grow in our understanding and spiritual maturity, how are we being transformed and lead by the Holy Spirit?

In Henry T. Blackaby & Claude V. King's study "Experiencing God", they summarize the way we respond to God's initiative in your life by using these seven realities:
1) God's work: God is always at work around you.
2) Relationship: God pursues a continuing love relationship with you that is real and personal.
3) Invitation: God invites you to become involved with Him in His work.
4) God Speaks: God speaks by the Holy Spirit through the Bible, prayer, circumstances and the church to reveal Himself, His purposes and His ways.
5) Crisis of Belief: God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action.
6) Adjust: You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing.
7) Obey & Experience: You come to know God by experiences as you obey Him and He accomplishes His work through you.

Can you see how going through these seven realities above could be a way for you to become "transformed-growing toward spiritual maturity"? 

If we could take this approach of continuous, daily growth in Christ, ie.being "transformed", taking action and growing from the experience. If we could wake up each day asking God "where can I join You in Your work today Lord?", "Use me today Lord for your will and not my own". We could then model that and share our experiences with our children and grand-children. We will not struggle in coming up with "real-life" experiences for "Faith Walk" stories of how God is working in and through our lives and theirs. It will become natural conversation. Can you see how that would draw you closer in relationship with God and with them? 

What is the point of being a follower of Jesus Christ, without transformation, without daily growth, daily becoming more and more like the one we choose to follow? IF our children and grand-children don't see that transformation in us, maybe they will be asking the same question: What's the point?




Terry Langenberg
Twitter: TheLangenberg
Facebook: TheLangenberg