Based on Ephesians 4:17-24 (New King James Version)
“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”
What does faith in Christ truly consist of? Is it just about believing? I have to say according to the complete counsel of God through His Word that believing in the Lord is only part of the matter, and that there is much more to consider and do, especially if there is a true faith. True faith consists of actions, those that are generated as a result of a genuine faith in Christ, so it’s not just about simple belief. This is what the Word counsels us: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:18-20. So then, if demons believe and even tremble, what should there be in us? What work should we do to be able to go beyond simple belief?
To be able to understand this even more clearly, we need to understand first what God did through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. What was God’s true purpose through His sacrifice? The Bible teaches us this: “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. God’s purpose is to transform and renew what is fallen, that which has been affected by sin. God desires that for those things are not good in our lives to end so that the new can start, the eternal, making us thereby through Christ a new creation. This is a very popular verse in our Christian community, but it is many times not applied correctly. The application of this principle has to do with the fact that a person must live a new life, leaving behind what they used to be, being transformed, and not to be used as a cut off (per se) so that they are not bothered with their past. But rather, quite the contrary, we should always remember what we were before Christ. We should remember where the Lord brought us out from and be able to compare that to the present, to be able to see if in fact we have been transformed, or if we are simply just trying to adopt a new religion or something superficial, because following Christ goes beyond morality and doing what is right.
Now then, when we convert to the Lord, by repenting from all our sins and making Him the Lord of our lives, is there anything else left to be done? And the answer is, “Yes.” Everything is left ahead of that. When we are born again in Christ, that is only the beginning. That’s why the Lord explained it as a birth, as a new beginning, it is the start of a long journey that must be traveled to be able to get to the end. That’s why the Word urges us to not walk like the rest of the Gentiles, not to walk in a futile mind, not to have a blinded heart, not to lose sensitivity, and not to give ourselves over to lewdness. We are urged to leave behind the old man which implies a process. When we start to follow Christ, we are entering a process of transformation. When we first come to the Lord, through our genuine conversion, a radical change should happen at the beginning or at least a very significant change in thinking. But that doesn’t mean that we are made perfect instantly, speaking from a practical standpoint. There is a process that is left that involves continual change, of being transformed, while we follow the Lord, because true faith in Christ consists in following the Lord, and not just saying that we believe only. The Word continues telling us this: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:16-17. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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.” Romans 12:1-2.
So then, how should this transformation in Christ continue? What is most important is that the all for the transformation, or the reason for why it should happen should be because we love the Lord, and nothing else. This is not about personal improvement or about attaining human goals, or a lifestyle change. Following Christ and letting yourself be transformed by Him through the work of the Holy Spirit always should be based on our love for Him. When that is the foundation, then you can continue moving forward just like the Word says: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27. The Word of God is what washes and purifies us, which is what should be part of our daily walk with the Lord. God through Christ in our life looks for a relationship, not a religion, and not even necessarily morality. And like the relationship He looks for, He uses His Word to speak to us, to be able to tell us what needs to happen in our lives. That is why, again, the reason for why everything is done should be because of our love for God, and nothing more. So then the Word is the key, for it says this: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
So, transformation in Christ has a great purpose for man, because it is about deepening our relationship with God and like that, being made useful for His work, because He wants for us to be a part of what He wants to do on earth and also in eternity, because this world is not even a shadow of things to come. That’s why we are urged as follows in His Word: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2. So then, are you living a transformed life in Christ, because of your love for the Lord, for your own good, and for the good of others? Lord bless! John