Pastor's Corner January 23, 2023
Be transformed by Jesus
What do I mean by transformed? How can this be part of the spiritual movement in the life of a Christian if Jesus has already transformed us when we are regenerated (born again)? What I am describing is called sanctification. You may have noticed in our sanctuary that we have a banner which says "Christ our Sanctifier." Basically, sanctification means that we have already been declared holy (or in right standing in our relationship with God) while being made holy. This is referred to as positional and progressive sanctification. The positional is that we have already been declared holy because of Jesus' death and resurrection. The progressive sanctification is the continual act of Jesus making us holy or transforming us from the inside out.
Therefore, this movement in our spiritual life is one that has happened and is happening. What a beautiful paradox of sorts! We must remember, though that Jesus is the one who sanctifies and transforms us. The spiritual movement of being transformed by Jesus involves the transformation that has occurred to the believer and what he is and will do. But this does not mean that you don't have a role in the transformation. It does not mean that you can do whatever you want with your life because you know you believe in Jesus, so he will transform you regardless of your actions. While this is not impossible, it is not what we should pursue.
Being transformed by Jesus can happen as a result of being with Jesus. Since being with Jesus is our first and primary spiritual practice, that means transformation can be a byproduct of being with the God who created us. We also should desire to be transformed. I don't think I am the only one, who upon looking within oneself, realizes that I am in desperate need of transformation into the likeness of Jesus. That means that we can pray and ask for Jesus to transform us. It doesn't just happen overnight and it usually doesn't happen without our participation.
In time, we will talk more about this transformation. But I want to end with why being transformed is paramount to our spiritual life and life in general. Can we become like Jesus if we are the same as when we met him? Can we join him in his kingdom work without being made holy? In order to effectively live out our calling and identity as disciples who make disciples of the world, we need to be healed, transformed, and made new. Our hurts, traumas, and our addiction to sin need to be healed and repaired. We need to be transformed.
Do you want transformation? Do you ask Jesus to hasten your progressive sanctification? Do you look to Jesus to sanctify you when you feel like you are walking toward sin and have nowhere else to turn?
What do I mean by transformed? How can this be part of the spiritual movement in the life of a Christian if Jesus has already transformed us when we are regenerated (born again)? What I am describing is called sanctification. You may have noticed in our sanctuary that we have a banner which says "Christ our Sanctifier." Basically, sanctification means that we have already been declared holy (or in right standing in our relationship with God) while being made holy. This is referred to as positional and progressive sanctification. The positional is that we have already been declared holy because of Jesus' death and resurrection. The progressive sanctification is the continual act of Jesus making us holy or transforming us from the inside out.
Therefore, this movement in our spiritual life is one that has happened and is happening. What a beautiful paradox of sorts! We must remember, though that Jesus is the one who sanctifies and transforms us. The spiritual movement of being transformed by Jesus involves the transformation that has occurred to the believer and what he is and will do. But this does not mean that you don't have a role in the transformation. It does not mean that you can do whatever you want with your life because you know you believe in Jesus, so he will transform you regardless of your actions. While this is not impossible, it is not what we should pursue.
Being transformed by Jesus can happen as a result of being with Jesus. Since being with Jesus is our first and primary spiritual practice, that means transformation can be a byproduct of being with the God who created us. We also should desire to be transformed. I don't think I am the only one, who upon looking within oneself, realizes that I am in desperate need of transformation into the likeness of Jesus. That means that we can pray and ask for Jesus to transform us. It doesn't just happen overnight and it usually doesn't happen without our participation.
In time, we will talk more about this transformation. But I want to end with why being transformed is paramount to our spiritual life and life in general. Can we become like Jesus if we are the same as when we met him? Can we join him in his kingdom work without being made holy? In order to effectively live out our calling and identity as disciples who make disciples of the world, we need to be healed, transformed, and made new. Our hurts, traumas, and our addiction to sin need to be healed and repaired. We need to be transformed.
Do you want transformation? Do you ask Jesus to hasten your progressive sanctification? Do you look to Jesus to sanctify you when you feel like you are walking toward sin and have nowhere else to turn?
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