The Transformation of The Believer

Overview

This lesson examines how the expressed life of Christ will look when lived from the heart. God doesn't only desire inward change; He desires outward transformation that a lost world can see. A mature believer who desires to become like Christ will accept this mission to align our outward lifestyle with God's standard in Christ.

Introduction

Illustration

Athletes worldwide are constantly preparing for the most prestigious competitive event in world history— the Olympic games. Every four years, thousands of hopefuls are holding on to the dream of winning a gold medal. These athletes know that if their dream is to become a reality, they must put off old habits—a poor diet, unsuitable apparel, and low-impact workouts. If they are to be competitive in their field, they must acquire those necessary skills and disciplines that will enable success and victory.

Just as an Olympic athlete makes daily choices in behavior and diet that furthers the dream of the heart, a faithful Christian will make lifestyle changes from a heart desire to reflect Jesus Christ more accurately.

Scripture compares the Christian life to a race.

HEBREWS 12:1

1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

In this race God says we must put on Jesus Christ if we are to be winners.

Romans 13:14 KJV 1900

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

truly reflect the nature and character of Jesus Christ in our daily lives.

The power of the Holy Spirit must generate this expression of the life of Christ, but it should also be clearly seen in our outward lifestyle. Just as an Olympic athlete makes daily choices in behavior and diet that further the dream of the heart, a faithful Christian will make lifestyle changes from a heart desiring to reflect Jesus Christ more accurately.

What does this expression of the life of Christ look like in the life of a Christian?

I. The Inner Transformation

God intends for the behavior of a believer to be radically different from that of an unbeliever. Many Christians are being told that it does not matter how they live, and unbiblical churches are helping them feel comfortable in sinful lifestyles. Scripturally, however, God calls believers to be distinctly different. Grace and Christian liberty do not give us a license to live in sin; they give us the freedom to walk in the light and to be transformed by God's power.

ROMANS 12:2

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

A. The world's condition is darkened. (v. 17-18)

In this passage, Paul describes the sinful condition of the unsaved world.

Vanity in verse 17 means "empty." Indeed, we do see "vanity of their mind" embedded in today's culture.

Empty philosophies abound. As Christians, we must recognize unscriptural philosophies and thought processes for what they are lest we be overcome in their destruction.

Colossians 2:8-9

We must stand guard over our hearts and minds, so we are not led astray and deceived by the empty, vain philosophies of the world.

In the passage from Ephesians 4 above, Paul describes the world's condition as

"having the

understanding darkened." In other words, those without Christ are spiritually blind-their understanding is darkened concerning the things of God.

2 CORINTHIANS 4:4

4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Satan has blinded unsaved people from seeing the truth of God, which makes them vulnerable to the false teaching and vain philosophies that abound today.

For instance, some people believe in reincarnation- that after death, they will return to this world in animal form or in a higher state of consciousness.

Others believe they are intrinsically good, and according to their humanistic philosophies, they don't need a Saviour.

Still others believe they are becoming a god themselves, without the help of God and the truth of the Gospel.

Many ideologies are prevalent and popular, but the Bible describes them as vain imaginations followed by those with a darkened understanding.

In verse 18, Paul continues his description of the world's darkened condition. Without the illumination of God's Holy Spirit, men's hearts are blind, and they are alienated from an understanding of God. Even the wisest philosophers of this world, such as Socrates or Nietzsche are spiritually empty without truth.

B. The world's nature is depraved. (v. 19)

Our lives should contrast the sinful, depraved nature of lost men.

Notice the phrase "past feeling." This speaks of the numbness of soul experienced by a person who rejects God. Some people have become so involved in wickedness—so darkened to the truth that they experience spiritual numbness. It is as if Novocaine has been injected into their hearts.

Illustration:

Have you ever considered the beneficial and life-saving aspects of physical pain? None of us enjoy pain, but it alerts us to danger. For instance, if you get too close to a

campfire, you want to feel discomfort so you don't catch your clothes on fire. Pain is a gift that warns us and calls for a response.

Even so, spiritual pain and conviction are gifts. It alerts us to actions or attitudes that are grievous to God and are dangerous to our spiritual growth.

Just as when a person who can no longer sense physical pain is in serious physical danger, so the Christian who has ceased feeling the conviction of the Holy Spirit is in critical spiritual danger.

Personal illustration of pain experienced.

Christians who embrace the vain philosophies of this world can quickly lose their sense of what is right and wrong and their ability to feel conviction. It is a spiritually dangerous thing when a Christian can engage in demonic, lustful, or other sinful activities with no rebuke of the conscience. In this case, the conscience is seared and the heart is past sensing God's work within it.

MARK 7:22-23

22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:

23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

When someone gives himself over to wickedness, his life is defiled. His conscience is seared, as skin might be seared with a hot iron, and he no longer understands the truth.

Notice the word work in this verse. It means, "to take pains to do your best." Because of their dark, depraved spiritual nature, some people literally go to great effort to live defiled, unclean lives. Some people work harder at living in sin than Christians work at living for Christ!

If we are to live differently than the unsaved and ungodly people around us, we must first recognize the depraved and darkened condition of those without Christ. To express the life of Christ, our lifestyle must be different than the world's.

II. Inner Transformation Precedes External Change (v. 22-24)

As Christians, we are not here to tread water or to "barely hold on" until Jesus comes. God has called us to be different and to make a difference! This truth is clearly shown in the Word of God.

Once we have received Christ, the Holy Spirit creates a new disposition within us—a disposition very different from that of lost men. His goal for us is that we would discard our old ways of living and take on the characteristics of Jesus.

A. We must put off the old man.

(v. 22-23)

COLOSSIANS 3:9-10

9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;

10 And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

God commands us to put off our old man and old deeds and to put on the new man in Christ.

The above passage in Ephesians tells us that the old desires are "corrupt according to deceitful lusts." The new nature of the Holy Spirit will create holiness, love, and godliness, but the old man will only produce corruption.

ROMANS 6:23

23 For the wages of sin is death...

When we sow seeds of corruption, we will reap a life of spiritual death. We are called to express Christ's life and live differently to God’s glory. This difference begins with the way we think!

The entire direction of your life can be traced to how you think.

PROVERBS 23:7

7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...

MATTHEW 12:34

34..for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

In contrast to the darkened, blinded minds of the world, God wants to renew and transform our minds by His power. God's Word is the tool the Holy Spirit will use to give you a new way of thinking and living.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

A different life begins with a different mind, which begins with meditating upon the Word of God on a daily basis.

B. We must put on the new man. (v. 24-27)

It is important that you put off the old man, but to really make a difference, you must put on the new nature of Christ.

The old man is the inherited sinful nature, but the new man is the nature of Christ placed into us by the presence of His Holy Spirit.

ROMANS 5:12

12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Adam, the spiritual head of the human race, chose to sin, and his sin was then passed to all men. That is why every one of us needs to be born again into the Spirit of Christ every one of us needs a new nature.

As Christians, we will still battle between the flesh and the spirit daily. It is a daily reality that the flesh wars against the spirit’s new nature in Christ. For example, a child doesn't have to be taught to sin.

Illustration

When a baby is born, he may be sweet and cuddly, but in a short time, he will begin acting selfishly and fighting for his own way. Within a couple of years, he will begin to bite and throw temper tantrums. Parents don't deliberately teach this behavior; it comes naturally because of the nature of sin.

As believers, we are commanded to make a daily choice to live differently than our flesh would dictate.

We're not to be led by our flesh but rather by the Spirit of God.

At salvation, God gave us the power of His Holy Spirit and a new nature capable of doing right.

We must daily choose to put on that new nature and walk in life’s newness. That new life will be Christ’s life and distinctly different from those who do not know Him.

For instance, someone putting on the new man will speak differently than the world.

MATTHEW 12:34

34 ...out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

The Holy Spirit is the spirit of truth.

JOHN 15:26

26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

When you are yielding to God's Spirit, there will be a transformation in your speech. Your words will be true and will be seasoned with the grace of God.

Someone who is putting on a new man will handle anger differently, as well.

A Christian who lives in a perpetual state of anger, never resolving conflicts with other people, is walking in the flesh. In fact, Scripture warns that anger gives place— or room in our lives and relationships over to the devil.

Anger ruins relationships, and it dishonors the Lord.

Therefore, we must put off the old man’s temperament, and claim a new disposition that reflects Christ.

We must yield to God's presence and allow His life to be clearly seen through us.

Are you willing to be different? Are you willing to stand out from the crowd by allowing the life of Christ to be seen through you? Don't hide your light. Don't be ashamed of Christ. Be willing to be different and trust by faith that He will use you to make a difference at the same time!

III. Loving Christ Energizes Internal and External Transformation (v. 20-21)

God is concerned that our motives for change be right.

Throughout Scripture, He commands us to love Him and live for Him with all of our hearts.

MATTHEW 22:37

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind,

Christ wants all external change to flow from internal love and commitment to Him. Unfeigned love for Christ is the great motivator and the key to genuinely expressing His life.

You may attempt to fake the Christian life for a time, but only a heart love will compel you to walk with Christ faithfully. Only a sincere heart will allow His transforming power to create true spiritual renewal.

A. Jesus will be our teacher. (v. 20-21)

These verses tell us that we did not learn wickedness and ungodliness from Jesus Christ, because He is the One who teaches us the truth. Therefore, we must have a relationship with Him if we are going to put off the old man and put on the new nature. It is not so much a matter of discipline as it is devotion. How much do you know and love Jesus Christ? When you truly know Him, you will live a life that brings glory and honor to His name, and that life will be genuinely motivated and generated from a sincere heart.

The Apostle Paul was not pointing the Ephesian Christians to a creed or a list of commandments, he was pointing them to a Person. He wasn't pointing them to rules, he was pointing them to a relationship.

He said, "But ye have not so learned Christ" (v. 20).

Christianity is not a system of religion, but rather a relationship with the person of Jesus Christ.

Just as a marital relationship begins at the wedding altar, a relationship with Jesus Christ begins at salvation.

Once we accept Him, our relationship and love should continue to grow and develop.

DEUTERONOMY 6:5

5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

First, we meet the Lord and then come to love Him. With that love comes the desire to put on the new man—to live and express His love in a dark world.

There is no greater motivation and change agent in the Christian life than the love of Christ. A right relationship with Christ will give you victory over the mental and spiritual darkness of this world. It will clarify your thoughts, enlighten your understanding, quicken your conscience, and strengthen your resolve to live a life separated unto Him.

The closer you draw to the Lord, the further you will be from the world. The more different you are from the world, the greater the difference you can make.

JOHN 1:14

14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

False religions corrupt, and churches get sidetracked.

Jesus never changes

Hebrews 13:8

B. Jesus is the truth. (v. 21)

The way of the world ends in defilement, decay, and death; but the way of the Christian is new and abundant life in Christ.

Conclusion

Illustration

During World War II, a pastor in England would see businesses in his city that bombs had ravaged.

Often, the owners would clear away the rubbish, and place a sign outside that said, "Business As Usual." Many Christians are doing their "business as usual." They are going about their lives without allowing God to change and renew them spiritually. They have trusted Christ, but they are not growing in their relationship with Him. They are not maturing in Christ and expressing His life to a lost world.

God desires to transform your life today. Then, through that transformation, He desires to express the life of Christ through you to a dark world. Don't allow your life to be “business as usual" —start advertising that your life is "under new management." Let Christ express His life through you today.