transformed into his likeness with ever-
increasing glory” (v. 18 NIV).
Did you catch it? We are “being trans-
formed”! So, our transformation is some-
thing that is continually happening. Now,
is that good or bad? I want my transfor-
mation to be complete at some point.
I think the two extremes come togeth-
er with this one point: Jesus came to save
sinners. We’re sick; He’s the Doctor.
We’re broken; He’s the fix-it Man. Paul
understood this. He knew he was the
worst of sinners. And he recognized that
E
VERYONE WHO’S been around from God that Jesus had to send down a Christ was being loving and gracious to
church for long has heard how blinding light and yell at him from heav- him by transforming him and then using
Christ transforms people’s lives, en. Then Paul became the greatest Christ- him for God’s ministry.
making new creations out of ian evangelist ever. This is where I have to be. Regardless
them. But as I’m sitting here, I can’t So, Paul’s transformation was dramat- of my “big” or “little” sins, my dramatic
think of any big transformation in my ic. But can transformation be subtle? It or boring transformation, I have to
life. What’s wrong with me? takes two weeks for a pudgy little caterpil- acknowledge that I am a big, fat sinner. I
I grew up in church, so I don’t have a lar to become a butterfly. It takes up to 12 need to admit I’m nothing without Him.
radical salvation story. I got saved at weeks for a tiny tadpole to become a frog. Not in a self-depreciating way, but in a
church camp when I was seven years old. Can my transformation be as drastic but Christ-centered way.
I haven’t had a big healing that trans- not so dramatic? I think so. Jesus’ transforming power is real and
formed my body. I haven’t had to over- Paul may have had a radical transforma- active in everyone who turns to Him. The
come any addictions. Am I perfect? No tion, but he understood the gradual one cool part is that Jesus can transform
way! So, where’s my transformation? Is too. In 2 Corinthians 3:13 he talks about someone as difficult as Paul while subtly
something wrong with me? Moses wearing a veil to cover up God’s radi- transforming a little child to be more like
I guess what I’m wondering is, What ance that beamed from his face. But today, Him. And today, I’m ready for the big or
is transformation? For the apostle Paul, it those who don’t believe in Jesus have a veil little transformation!
was obvious. He was previously a persecu- around their hearts that only Jesus can take
tor of the Church. He arrested followers away (vv. 15-16). So, Christians become Amanda White is a thirty-something for-
of Jesus. That’s about as far away from “unveiled,” and “we, who with unveiled mer children’s pastor turned stay-at-home
God as one can get. He was so closed off faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being mom who blogs at ImpressYourKids.org.
THE
Acknowledge you have sinned
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us”
KEYS TO
(1 John 1:8).* “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
ETERNAL
Believe in Jesus
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). “For God so
LIFE
loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
CHRIST PAID for our Confess and renounce your sin
salvation with His death
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that
on the cross, but for us
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). “If we confess
to accept this gift is as our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all
simple as using these
unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
keys to unlock the door: *Scriptures are from the New International Version.
24 EVANGEL • SEP 2009
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