Transformation

Dietrich Bonhoeffer says that either man models himself on the god of his own invention, or the true and living God moulds the human form into His image. There must be a complete transformation, a metamorphosis (Romans 12: 22, Corinthians 3:18). Dietrich Bonhoeffer is trying to make us realize that it is not we who effect this transformation, but the Holy Spirit living in us who brings it about . It is up to us to immerse (baptize) ourselves in the Holy Spirit in an environment that enables this transformation to come upon us. Transformation must not just be in our external selves. The Holy Spirit needs to do His work from within as well.

Our hearts and minds are often clouded with doubts, fears, and errors in judgment on the meaning of godly living. Our hearts and minds cannot ever be fully purged of these beliefs and feelings. St. Paul talks about the need to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that our actions, beliefs and feelings will be in line with the will of God.

As the worship chorus goes, Spirit of the living God fall afresh on me. It is an ongoing and continuous process of first being baptized and then being filled with and immersed in the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist (Mathew 3:11) claimed that he baptized with water when his followers turned from their sins, but that Christ would baptize them with the Holy Spirit. So it is today. Our pastors can baptize us with water, but it is Christ who baptizes us with the Holy Spirit. Christ knows the needs of the community so if we are led by Him, He will identify our spiritual gifts, develop them and make use of them.

Martin Luther says that the scriptures presented Christ in two aspects, first as a gift and second as an example (sacramentum et exemplum). We should realize that there is more to following Christ than just trying to imitate his example. It is to accept Him as God, Lord and the Savior of our souls and that of the whole world. It is to accept Him as the Son of God, who existed even before the world began. It is to realize that it is only by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that any transformation takes place in our lives. It was divine will of God the Father to send Christ to be with us, giving up all the glory He had above. God showed us the extent of his love, and He wanted this love to fill all our hearts and minds. He sent Christ with the message of love. We realize with thanksgiving that Christ’s ministry on earth was a gift, an act of love. Christ’s role as Messiah is not diminished in any way if a person follows in his footsteps and is subject to greater suffering than Christ on earth. We as Christians should realize that whatever we may do on earth, our roles are not the same as that of the role of Christ.

St. Paul exhorted us to be humble, (healthy ego - Romans 12:3). There is bound to be a conflict between what we believe we are and what we truly are. We should not become too proud of our gifts or achievements but should be fully aware of what we are capable of doing. St. Paul describes us as different parts of a healthy human body that need to work together as one body under the direction of Christ as the head. We are all different with different spiritual gifts but we need each other and should learn to depend on each others’ strengths. Our gifts should be used to build up and foster the growth of love and faith within the Body of Christ. Our hopes should be fixed on that day when Christ will return, our bodies will be completely transformed, and there will be peace.