Lesson 1: The Transformation of the Christian

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Lesson Overview

Daily Reading Schedule:

Thursday: Romans 12:1-2

Friday: 2 Corinthians 3:18

Saturday: 2 Cori nthians 4:7-18

Sunday: 1 John 1:3-6

Monday: Ephesians 6:10-20

Tuesday: Colossians 3:1-17

Lead Scripture:
Romans 12:1-2 “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.” The Christian life is a changed life. Becoming a Christian is not an action that occurs in the past but is a process that begins at baptism and continues until death. The Greek word used for transformation in Romans 12:2 means “to change into another form” (Vine’s). The Greek word has the same form as our word metamorphosis, which we use to describe a process such as the radical change of a caterpillar into a butterfly. This same word described Jesus’ transfiguration where “He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light,” Matthew 17:2. Transformation Begins in the Mind Paul encouraged the Romans to be made in the in the image of Christ not in the mold, or form, of the world. The transformation of a Christian begins in his mind. Consider these verses: 2 Corinthians 10:5 – We must bring every thought under control. Mark 7:20-23 – The heart of a man is the source of his actions. Romans 1:21-22 – Terrible abominations are rooted in evil and futile thoughts. Colossians 3:1-3 – Set your mind on things above. The mind of the world dwells on carnal and futile thoughts. These thoughts have led ungodly men to introduce abominations, such as idolatry, homosexuality, evil inventions and the like. The worldly mind focuses on the present world and indulging desires aroused through evil presented in television, movies, songs, books, online, and through popular opinion. Media is not wrong, but we must not allow the flood of worldly information to change us for the worse. Our principles and focus must come from the word of God. In Colossians 3:2, Paul urges us to set our minds on things above. Strong’s Concordance defines set as “exercising the mind towards, being mentally disposed to, and to set affection toward.” This transcends mere thought of heavenly things. We decide to think like Christ so that the natural state of the changed mind dwells on godly things and making judgments considering Christ’s doctrine. The Philippians were urged to focus their thoughts on holy and good things, Philippians 4:8. Whatever things are…

Definition Opposite

True Manifest, fact, conforming to reality False Noble Honest, grave, venerable, serious Foolish Just Right way, right conduct; state of being right judged by a divine standard

Unjust

Pure Clean, free of impurities Polluted Lovely Pleasing, agreeable Unpleasant Good Report Well-spoken of, reputable Worthless Think On These Things! Consider popular movies, TV shows, books, and songs. Can we say that all that we watch, read, and hear is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, or of good report? We must not be deceived; these things affect our thoughts. Transformation Continues in our Actions After we transform our minds, our actions must change. Jesus taught that a man’s heart dictates his actions. If our heart is right, right actions will follow. A godly life is the natural result of a mind cleansed by God and consecrated to Him. When we set our minds on things above our actions will change. Colossians 3:5-17 describes this transformation: Put to death/put off Put on Fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, covetousness, anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, lying Holiness, tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, bearing with one another, forgiving, love This is the old man, made in the image of the world. This is the new man, made in the image of the Creator. As Paul illustrates, the new man acts differently towards his fellow man. He wants to build other people up, not destroy them. He speaks good, not evil. He is long-suffer ing, not impatient. Our actions towards other people change because our attitude towards them has changed. God commands us to serve others as part of our service to Him. We must transform from a self- seeking, self-centered being into a selfless servant, like Jesu s, who, though a king, wanted to serve rather than be served. People often think of Christian morality as a kind of bargain in which God says, “If you keep a lot of rules, I’ll reward you, and if you don’t I’ll do the other thing.” I do not think that is the best way of looking at it. I would much rather say that every time you make a choice you are turning the central part of you, the part of you that chooses, into something a little different from what it was before. And taking your life as a whole, with all your innumerable choices, all your life long you are slowly turning this central thing into a Heaven creature or a hellish creature: either into a creature that is in harmony with God, and with other creatures, and with itself, or else into one that is in a state of war and hatred with God, and with its fellow creatures, and with itself. To be the one kind of creature is Heaven: that is, joy, peace, knowledge and power. To be the other means madness, horror, idiocy, rage, impotence, and eternal loneliness. Each of us at each moment is progressing to the one state or the other.

-C. S. Lewis

The Goal of Transformation What is the goal of the transformation of mind and actions? Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18:

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” We are looking into a mirror, and we see ourselves transforming into Christ. As we look, more of our old man, our old life, fades away and the image of Jesus reflected to us becomes clearer. We are becoming more like Jesus so that when we s ee ourselves, we truly see Jesus in thought and action in our lives. In the next chapter, 2 Corinthians 4:11, Paul continued this thought: “ For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.” Paul clearly stated this goal: the life of Jesus must be manifested in our lives. Earlier, he compared it to treasure, like gold or jewels, in earthen pottery because “the power may be of God and not of us.” We are constantly trying to live like Jesus, but we realize that we will not have complete perfection on this earth. Paul wrote in Galatians 2:20: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” We crucify the old man of sin, bury him at baptism (Romans 6:4-6) and are raised to live a new life—Christ living in us. It is a li fe of faith, founded on the word of God (Romans 10:17). This demands that we study what Christ did and emulate Him. According to John in 1 J ohn 2:5-6, we must keep the commandments of God and live as Jesus lived. Some who promote the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) merchandise are really telling people to do what they think Jesus would do. The Christian, however, must study what Jesus did and emulate them. We must ask, “What did Jesus do?” Our decisions must never be based on our own suppositions and guesses but on the knowledge revealed by God (Jeremiah 10:23).

Questions for Discussion & Study

What is the meaning of transformation?
Describe God’s work and your work in your life transformation.
What are some practical ways we can transform our minds daily?
How do you think a person who claims to be a Christian, but has not transformed his life, will act?
What does it mean to have Christ living in us?