March 28, 2024
Home
The Burning Bush Community
Revivals and Testimony
THE PRISON MINISTRY Attn: Chaplains
How To Be Saved
Devotionals 2013-2022
Devotionals 2011-2012
Devotionals 2009-2010
Devotionals 2007-2008
Devotionals 2006
Devotionals 2005
Devotionals 2004
Devotionals 2003
Devotionals 2002
Devotionals 1998-2001
FREE BOOKS
Newest Sermons
The Sermon Box
Testimonies
Journey to Fruitfulness - From Rocker to Preacher
Devotionals for the Journey
Miracles
God's Help For The Tough Problems
Break Out! Spiritually
New Pastor's Training Manual
New Believer's Training Manual
The X File
The X File Devotionals
Prayer Requests
Praise Reports
Prayer Support Page
VisionTrust - Tanzania
Online Sermons
BOOKSTORE


Devotionals 2011 - 2012

Transformed
September 16, 2011By Ed Wrather

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. – 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 NKJV.


Six years ago Megan Ashton bought a beat up 40-year-old VW Beetle for $316 (200 GBP). Today that same car is worth an estimated $40,000 (25,000 GBP). What happened to that car? Megan was 20-years-old when she bought the car dreaming of one day being able to drive, not a VW Beetle to her wedding, but a Porsche 356. Megan is a Royal Navy engineering officer, and her father owns a garage. Over a six-year period, the VW Beetle was stripped down and rebuilt into a replica of the Porsche 356. That ugly duckling of a VW Beetle has been transformed into a beautiful vehicle. The replica Porsche 356 was driven proudly by Megan to her wedding, as she had dreamed of doing for so many years. (Mail Online 09.15.11)


The transformation of Ashton's VW Beetle into the now beautiful Porsche 356 replica is a picture of the Christian life. It is a picture of how God takes the ugly duckling worm of a sinner and transforms that person into an “ambassador for Christ”; an ambassador for the King of kings, and the Lord of lords.


There is a beginning point to becoming a Christian. We do not become a Christian by becoming a member of a church, or by being baptized. We do not become a Christian by being born into a family that happens to be Christian. We become a Christian by being “born again” as Jesus tells Nicodemus in John 3:3. We are birthed into the Kingdom of God by the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:11) and sealed until the day of redemption (Ephesians 4:30). We are “born again” into the family of God as spiritual babies (1 Corinthians 3:1) and are to grow to maturity (Philippians 3:15).  


God will continue this process of transforming us from the sinners that we were into being like Christ as long as we are alive on this Earth (Philippians 1:6; Romans 8:29). Some bright shining day the ultimate transformation into perfection with our glorified bodies will be completed. In Philippians 3:20-21 we are told this, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”


When we are “born again” that old sinner creature that we were is no more. God begins the transformation process giving us a new life with new desires, and new dreams. We grow from baby Christians to mature Christians. The process of that growth is fast, or slow, depending upon how much of the Lord Jesus Christ we put on (Romans 13:14). You can put on (clothe yourselves - NIV) more of the Lord Jesus, by reading and studying the Word of God. You can put on more of the Lord Jesus, by spending time in prayer. You can put on more of the Lord Jesus, by assembling with other believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). You can put on more of the Lord Jesus, by living for Him, by being His ambassador upon this Earth. 


My old dreams have faded away. I can barely remember how evil my desires used to be. I am far from being perfect. However, I am being transformed more and more into the image of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I hope and pray that you are being transformed too!


Visitor Comments (0)
Be the first to post a comment!
Loading...
Related Articles · More Articles
There is no escape for those who reject Jesus as their Savior.
The King of kings, and the Lord of lords wants YOU to be a part of HIS family.
There is only one way to Heaven, and that Way is Jesus.

Copyright © 1998-2014. Ed Wrather. Copyright Contents of Entire Site.
Church Websites | Ministry Websites by ChristianCMS, a Service of Inspyre.