"Transformed"

Yesterday, I passed a flashy billboard with triple x printed across the sign.  I pictured those x's being pushed on their sides and transformed ino the three crosses.   Such a transformation is not only theoretical but literal.  Jesus literally transforms us from our XXX state into a new creation 2Cor5:17 by what he did on the cross.

The world has fallen away from God and we are all tempted to live self-indulgent lives. Many are dragged away and enticed by their own desires James1:14-15 and so become slaves to sin Rom6.   Even though we sin, God offers grace. He washes us clean (as I described in the Diaper Change Analogy post) if we let Him because He loves us and wants to reconcile us to Himself. 

Thank God for grace!  So, "should we sin all the more that grace may abound? By no means! How can he who died to sin still live in it?" Rom6:1-2.  Rather He calls us to obedience.  Jesus explains in John14:23-24 that if we love Him, we will obey Him and that if we do not obey Him, we do not love Him.  In other words, if we do not love Him through our actions, we prove that we were not truly transformed.  No we never becme perfect or righteous on out own- we are still human, we are still tempted and we still screw up.  But he calls us to try.  "If we walk in the light as He is in the light...the blood of Christ purifies us from all sin" but "if we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth" 1John1:6-7.   When God changes us, our lives should change.  For "His kindness is intended to lead us to repentance" Rom2:4 and "consider the kindness and the sterness of God...kindness to you provided that you continue in His kindness" Rom11:22.   

Therefore "Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."  Rom12:2