Christianity is not about a religion but a relationship with the Lord of the universe – Jesus Christ. Christianity is also not about reforming our old behaviors and habits, but about transforming our entire lives from being a sinner to a saint and from bondage to free.
A picture of the reformed life is when an alcoholic goes to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and puts his faith in a higher power, but not Jesus. As a result, he may get delivered from alcohol but sadly many “reformed” alcoholics become chain smokers and thus exchange one bondage for another. I believe the reason AA can help people is not because of the so-called higher power, but because of the group dynamic and having accountability partners. However, when this same alcoholic gives his life over to Christ he becomes transformed into a new creation. (2 Corinthians 5:17) tells us: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” My friends there is a huge difference between the reformed life that AA offers and the transformed life that Christ supplies.
I like what apologist Josh McDowell shares what happens to an individual when he lets Jesus into his heart: “Most important of all, individual believers can experience the power of the risen Christ in their lives today. First of all, they can know that their sins are forgiven (see Luke 24:46-47; 1 Corinthians 15:3). Second, they can be assured of eternal life and their own resurrection from the grave (see 1 Corinthians 15:19-26). Third, they can be released from a meaningless and empty life and be transformed into new creatures in Jesus Christ (see John 10:10; 2 Corinthians 5:17).”1 He then goes on to add: “You can laugh at Christianity; you can mock it and ridicule it. But it works. It changes lives. I should say Jesus Christ changes lives. Christianity is not a religion; it’s not a system; it’s not an ethical idea; it’s not a psychological phenomenon. It’s a person. If you trust Christ, start watching your attitudes and actions because Jesus Christ is in the business of changing lives.”2
I would like to share below three ways in which Jesus transforms one’s life:
He transforms our minds
(Romans 12:2) tells us: “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.” When we become Christians we begin to see how Jesus changes the way we think. We no longer should be thinking the way the world thinks but instead we put on the mind of Christ and use the Bible as our lens to view society and make decisions. Christ gives us a new capacity to think biblically and that’s why it is critical to read and study our bible. We need to replace our old thought patterns with the new life transforming words of Scripture. When we do this we will see our thoughts become captive to Christ and our decisions based on how Christ would react.
He transforms our desires
The exciting thing about becoming a Christian is that our desires also get transformed and begin to conform more and more as we walk with Jesus to His desires. (Psalm 37:4) says: “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart.” We all want our desires granted and this special verse tells us that as we walk with Jesus, He will transform our old desires, many of which are sinful, into new desires that line up with His ways and His will. Things we used to desire, like material things, become less important and glorifying Christ becomes more and more our hearts desire. I know in my heart that there is nothing more wonderful than desiring God and hungering after pleasing my Savior.
He transforms our purpose in life
Before I gave my heart to Christ my purpose in life was to make a lot of money and be happy. These things in and of themselves are not inherently bad, but they can never truly satisfy because we are all made with a spiritual vacuum that only Jesus Christ can fill. God created us to have fellowship with Him and anything outside of that relationship will never satisfy our souls. As Christians we believe that the chief purpose in life is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. And only when Christ is the center of our lives will we ever be able to truly tap into this ultimate purpose for living. Christian, if you are looking for purpose in life then I challenge you to meditate on (1 Peter 2:9): “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.” I love this verse because it first tells me who I am in Christ and how special I am to God, and second what my ultimate purpose in life is: to glorify God through my thoughts and actions.
Jesus Christ is in the transformation business and there is no better life than letting Christ transform and conform you more and more into His image!
1 Josh McDowell – Most important of all, individual believers can… (bibleportal.com)
2 Josh McDowell – You can laugh at Christianity, you can mock it… (bibleportal.com)