Metamorphosis

Metamorphosis

When we are born in this world, we inherit the sinful nature from our parents.  When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior we become “born again”.  As God’s Holy spirit dwells in our bodies, we have a new nature and become a new creature.

As new creatures, we are transformed through the power of the Holy Ghost.  Once the sinner comes to Jesus, the Holy Ghost gives that person the power to change.  Without the Holy Ghost, it is impossible to please God.

“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” (Romans 8: 9-10 KJV)

Sanctification is the process whereby we become more like Christ.  The Holy Ghost living within us gives up power over our old nature to resist the temptation to yield to the old nature.  Here is a quick table of characteristics of the new man.

Fruit of the Spirit	Works of the Flesh
Love, joy, peace	Adultery, fornication
Longsuffering, kindness	Lewdness, uncleanness
Goodness, faithfulness	Idolatry, hatred, envy
Gentleness, self-control	Drunkenness, murder

And speaking of fruits, we need to be good soil.  What does that mean?  We need to remove the things that prevent us from having a victorious life.  First, we need to make a decision to want to be fruitful.  We have a limited time here on Earth so we need to make our every effort count.  Second, we need to take action on our decisions.  Give up the things in our lives that hinder our relationship with God.  We need to allow God’s spirit to rule in our bodies.

When a person is saved and filled with the Holy Ghost, it begins to transform them.  The Holy Ghost is non-other than the spirit of God within us.  It works in several ways.

Inner workings: character and competence

-         He renews and regenerates our hearts.  He allows us to gain knowledge of God and of ourselves.  He changes our wills, emotions, attitudes and perspectives and develops the fruit of the Spirit within us.  The Holy Ghost encourages us to live in faithfulness before God and makes us people of character and competence in Him.

Outer workings: impacting the world

-         Each believer and the community of God’s people have the responsibility of showing the world the glory of God.  The work of the Holy Ghost through us to impact the world can be considered in proclamation and demonstration.

The Holy Ghost goes beyond proclamation and calls us to demonstration.  The beatitudes in Matthew 5: 3-12 outline the kind of lifestyle that is committed to justice and mercy.  This demonstration in the power of the Spirit transforms us as well as the world around us and serves the common good.

^“Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.  Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.  Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matthew 5:3-12 KJV)

The Holy Ghost releases his power the moment we take a step of faith.  Obedience unleashes God’s power.  God waits for us to act first.  Moving ahead doing the right thing in spite of, cooperates with the Holy Ghost and is how we build character.

The Bible compares spiritual growth to a seed, a building and a child growing up.  Seeds must be planted and cultivated, buildings must be built and children must eat and exercise to grow.

While effort has nothing to do with our salvation, it has much to do with our spiritual growth.  We don’t just sit around and wait for it to happen.  Paul explains our three responsibilities to become more like Christ.

1.     We need to let go of the old ways of acting.

“that ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;” (Ephesians 4:22 KJV)

2.     We need to change the way we think.

“and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;” (Ephesians 4:23 KJV)

 ^“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2 KJV)

3.     We need to put on the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits.

“and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” (Ephesians 4:24 KJV)