The Key To Change

Romans 8:29-30

God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29)

“LEOPARDS DON’T CHANGE THEIR SPOTS.” Such pessimism may be widely accepted, but it doesn’t fit the message of Jesus or the hope of our calling. Transformation is at the heart of the gospel. If people don’t change, something is tragically insufficient in the work Jesus did on our behalf. But, of course, there is no insufficiency in Christ. We have been given the key to radical change in our hearts, minds, and spirits.

How does this change happen? There is no short answer, but we can be sure of one thing: It begins in the presence of God. An encounter with him is transforming. How could it not be? When human beings experience an unimaginably powerful, radiant, pure God, we cannot remain the same. Scripture shows us plenty of examples in the lives of Jacob, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Peter, Paul, and others. Paul wrote of this phenomenon in one of his letters to the Corinthians: By beholding the glory of the Lord, we become like him (2 Corinthians 3:18). John even tells us this is our ultimate destiny: We will be like the Lord when he appears (1 John 3:2). If we are ever going to be salt and light in this world, it will be because we got a glimpse of our Lord.

The world needs a revelation of real change. Creation longs for it (Romans 8:19). You have an opportunity to be that revelation, or at least one example of it. But your transformation won’t happen merely by self-discipline, willpower, renewed zeal and commitment, or any other human decision—though all of these play their part. No, real change will come by spending time in the presence of someone completely other than ourselves who calls us to be like him. We will grow into the vision that fills our hearts and minds. Let your vision of him be the power that transforms you from within.

{Lord, show me your glory. Moses made that request, and you answered. You revealed your glory to prophets and disciples, and they were forever changed. I want that to be my story too. Envelop me in your presence and transform me into your image. Amen.