October 20, 2024
As I understand the teaching of Scripture, transformation comes by degrees but has no upper limit.
The early church leader, Gregory of Nyssa gives us this wonderful image of the Christian as a finite vessel into which God pours his infinite nature, but just as we reach maximum capacity, the vessel begins to grow. And that growth is limitless, because there is no limit to the goodness of God. No matter how much we take in, there’s always more that we could take in, and – so long as we remain willing and engaged – we will grow to take it in. So, even though the possibility of transformation is open to everyone equally, not everyone actualizes that possibility equally, at least not in the span of this life.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 3v18 that as we ‘contemplate the Lord’s glory, we are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory’. So Paul seems to think in terms of a continuous and progressive change.
So, how are you going with that?
It involves seeking the presence and power of the Holy Spirit who works sometimes mysteriously in this process. But it also includes the embodied spiritual practices day by day (eg. Prayer, stillness, thankfulness, reading Scripture etc) and deep involvement in God’s community.
Finally, it requires a gradual renewal of the mind. This is more than just intellectual (though that’s important). To renew the mind is the call of Romans 12:2 which instructs believers not to conform to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of their minds. This renewal involves a shift in thinking that aligns with God’s truth and values. It goes beyond intellectual understanding to encompass a person’s entire consciousness, including their perceptions, judgments, and feelings*. This transformation of the mind enables believers to discern and follow God’s will more effectively.
Becoming like Jesus is a continuous process that requires both human effort and divine grace, ultimately leading believers to become more like Christ in their character and actions.
* transformingcenter.org
Julian Holdsworth
BSBC Pastor
