Mae-Anna Faith S. Ligero
Romans & Galatians: The Theology of Transformation
Text:
Romans 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing
of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are
being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from
the Lord who is the Spirit.
Introduction
Transformation is not a change brought about by simply doing good or improving behavior. (Ex: and
underfed woman putting on make up to improve her appearance, but if instead of putting on makeup, she eats healthy nourishing food, she will not only appear healthy and beautiful, she will be
healthy and beautiful. There is a big difference from pretending to be, and actually being. Pretending
to be is not sustainable, meanwhile actually being is who you already are.)
According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, transformation means “a complete or major change in
someone or something’s appearance, form, etc.” But what does this mean for us as Christians? In the
New Testament, the Greek word for transformation is metamorphosis. The definition of
metamorphosis is “a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an
organism, as from the caterpillar to the pupa and from the pupa to the adult butterfly.”
When we prayed to receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we were regenerated/reborn, with
the divine life of God (grace of the Holy Spirit) within to become children of God through faith
(Galatians 3:26). This life operates within us to transform us into the image of Christ (2 Cor. 3:18).
What does transformation mean? (Biblical manner)
Transformation is when there is a shift in our mindset that causes visible change in our actions and in
our character. It is “A change of heart,” it is the change of our very nature (who we are) because of the
salvation we received from Jesus Christ (2 Cor.5:17; 1 Peter 1:23). And it is a continuous process due
to the dual nature that lives within us. (Romans 7:15-24 - 15 For I do not understand my own actions.
For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree
with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For
I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but
not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep
on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 21
So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of
God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind
and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who
will deliver me from this body of death?) (Galatians 5:16-17 - 16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you
will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the
Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do
whatever you want.)
Why do we need to be transformed?
1. God’s original plan (Gen. 1:26-27)
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God created/designed man in His own image & likeness
Original text: Hebrew – Image = Tselem…
Tselem = Form, (figurative = Phantom), Spirit (John 4:24)
We are meant to live forever
Matt. 25:40 (Both believers & unbelievers)
Original text: Hebrew - Likeness = Demuth (similitude)
Communicable attribute (of God)
Love = Fruit of the Spirit (Gal.5:22) (1 John 4:7-8)
2. The Fall of man (Gen. 3, Rom. 3:23)
- Consequences of their sin: death & sickness (Gen. 3:19; Rom. 5:12), separation from
God (Gen.3:10), loss of righteousness (Gen. 3:8), curse on the ground (Gen. 3:17-18).
(NOTE: It’s not possible for us to be transformed with our own strength, it was made possible
by God through His Son Jesus Christ who gave us the gift of Salvation, and now with the
constant help of the Holy spirit ever since we received that gift, it is now made possible for us
to be transformed).
3. To be Like Christ – into the Image of Christ (evidence of our salvation is seen
through transformation)
Romans 8:29 - For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the
image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are
being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes
from the Lord who is the Spirit.
If we have yet to be transformed, and if there is no change happening in our lives since the
day we’ve accepted the gift of salvation and become a follower of Jesus Christ, I think we
need to re-evaluate ourselves because it says in James 2:17 that, “So also faith by itself, if it
does not have works, is dead.” We are not saved through our good works but it is because we
are saved, that good works follow.
- To be an example to the world (a living testimony)
- be a mirror that reflects the glory of the Lord
- “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may PROVE what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Rom.12:2
When you renew your mind, you will start to see and prove to yourself, that God’s word is indeed
correct, and that His ways are right, and you will no longer live in a way that pleases the world and
instead you’ll live life righteously (right in the eyes of God), Changing your thoughts to God’s
thoughts. And the people around you, and the people you surround yourself with, will notice that
you’re different, because you’re not conforming to the world but instead you’re conforming to the
image of Jesus Christ.
(REFLECTION: Man failed God’s original plan, but God who is all knowing, all powerful, and always
present, made a way through His Son, and through the help of the Holy Spirit, for us to be saved and
transformed and be able to reflect His Communicable attribute, which is LOVE – Gal.5:22-23)
How can we experience transformation in our Christian life?
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Desire it & be willing – nothing will happen if you do not first desire or want to be
transformed.
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Renew your mind, by reading the Bible and meditating on His word.
Eat Spiritual Food – Jesus/Gospel - John 6:35 - Jesus says, “I am the bread of life; he who
comes to Me shall by no means hunger, and he who believes into Me shall by no means ever
thirst.”
Example: A caterpillar is born already possessing the life that will cause it to become a
butterfly. Although an outward change does occur during metamorphosis, it’s the result of an
organic/natural change from within. A caterpillar doesn’t put on a butterfly costume or strive
to act like a butterfly. As long as it eats, a caterpillar can trust in the metabolic process to
assimilate/take in those nutrients into its body and cause it to grow. Eventually, it undergoes
metamorphosis and becomes a butterfly.
Taking Jesus as our Spiritual food by reading His word, our mind is renewed, and because it
is renewed, it becomes the way for us to grow and be transformed little by little, from one
degree of glory to another, into the image of Christ.
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Stay focused on God, fix your eyes on Him, don’t be negligent, don’t be careless,
fight to spend time with God – in prayer, in His word, and in giving Him thanks.
Matthew 6:24
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be
devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.
I Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray continually.
Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that
comes from the mouth of God.’
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for
you in Christ Jesus.
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Walk in the Spirit - Saying no to our flesh, our desires, and the world, and
instead we continually say yes to God.
Galatians 5:16-26
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh
desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in
conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. 18 But if you are led by
the Spirit, you are not under the law.19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality,
impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage,
selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn
you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.22 But
the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23
gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ
Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let
us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each
other.
As we do all of these things regularly, we’ll be strengthened spiritually and be spontaneously
transformed more and more into the image of Christ.
Evidence of a Transformed life
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More of God and less of yourself
Christ-likeness
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Perspective/Mindset is changed
Boldness (example: Peter – Acts 2:14-21)
Discern right from wrong more clearly (Rom.12:2)
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Engaging in Christian Service (Serving God, serving man, being humble, fruit of the
Holy Spirit)
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Example: Life of apostle Paul (his conversion and what he did after his conversion)
Conclusion
Transformation starts when we become followers of Jesus Christ, it is a continuous process that
takes place within us because of how our flesh and the Holy Spirit work against each other. Being
transformed will cause us to have discernment that will help us live righteously and humbly before
God, and our transformed life will be visible to others around us, it will be our testimony that others
will pay attention to, because it is the evidence of our salvation and faith in Jesus Christ.