As you look at your life there are probably a few changes you would like to make.  The reality is none of us ever arrive – we can always be more like Jesus.  But how does this change come about?  There are two extremes that people may follow in their desire to change.

One extreme is to “let go and let God” – since God is sovereign we think we don’t need to do anything.  The danger is that we may abdicate our responsibility but God wants us to partner with Him.  The other extreme is “God helps those who helps themselves” – that must be somewhere in the Bible, perhaps it’s in Second Hesitations.  This person’s motto is “if it’s meant to be, it’s up to me”.  Robertson McQuilkin emphasizes however, “It is easier to go to a consistent extreme than to remain at the center of biblical tension.”

The Apostle Paul gives us the center of biblical tension in 2 Corinthians 3:18,

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

Paul reveals that we can come to God with an “unveiled face” – we don’t need to put on a mask or get our act together before we come to Him.  Our responsibility is to behold the glory of the Lord, as we focus upon Him and reflect His glory then He does the transforming.  The word for transformed in the Greek (metamorphoō) is a compound word meaning “to change into another form”.   This was the word that was used to describe Jesus’ transfiguration.  We derive the English word metamorphic from this word.

The Serenity Prayer by Reinhold Niebuhr reveals that God does His part and we play our part, the key is knowing the difference.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

Your responsibility is to behold Him and He will bring about the transformation, so keep your eyes on Him,

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.  Romans 12:1

Dr. Rick Higgins

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University