THE GREATEST TRANSFORMER.
MEMORISE:
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2 Corinthians 3:18
READ: 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
MESSAGE:
In the Bible reading of today we see terrible things that man does on earth. However, being born of water and of the Spirit brings about a change, that is, divine transformation (John 3:3). John the Beloved said something deeper concerning this spiritual new birth:
“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.” 1 John 5:6
The mystery of the new birth cannot be understood except through the Spirit of God. In the same epistle of John we read:
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.” 1 John 3:8-9
There are two main steps by which we can experience this divine transformation: genuine repentance when a person voluntarily submits his or her will to the Lord, and the power in the blood of Jesus Christ- being sanctified by the power in the blood of the new covenant that is far superior to the blood of animals.
“For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4
Therefore, for divine transformation, Jesus Christ is the answer.
Every born-again child of God must pass through the process of change and become transformed, irrespective of how morally upright such a person may have been before salvation. That heart that has hitherto been trained to view things in the way of the world must be renewed and tutored to henceforth view things spiritually, in line with the will of God. Romans 12:2 says “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.”
May the Lord- the Greatest Transformer, start the required change in your life today, in Jesus’ name.
REFLECTION:
Father, please cleanse me from all impurities and transform my life, that I may reflect Your image, in the mighty name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Proverbs 30-31.
HYMN 24: TAKE MY LIFE, AND LET IT BE.
1. Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee.
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
2. Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
3. Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
4. Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
5. Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
6. Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
