What do we want to be known for - Transformation Pt2

Last week we asked the question, "What do we want to be known for?" We talked about this idea of being known, not for our doing, but rather our being! We can do a lot of things in our own power, but it doesn't change anything about the core of who we are. And those things we do are not sustainable within our own abilities. But, when we ABIDE or "BE WITH" Jesus, then transformation happens. So, at True Hope Collister, We want to be known as people who are transformed because we are with Jesus.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says, "Therefore if anyone is in Christ (abide/be with), he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." Because of Jesus and the active trust we have in Jesus, something quite remarkable happens. Metamorphosis occurs at a heart level transforming us into something completely different then what we were. Consider a butterfly, it cocoons as a dull, every day, ground level, humdrum being, but comes out as a majestic, beautiful, free-flying being.
This is what Jesus offers us. Outside of him, we are ordinary, broken, self-destructive, beings that are in bondage. When we choose, through active trust, to be with Jesus, we become children of the highest king, joint-heirs with Jesus, free children of God.

There is one key area this transformative process of Jesus focuses on. Our thinking. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."

2 Corinthians 10:5 confirms this by saying, "We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ." What we think has a direct impact on who we become. Scripture teaches this over and over again. This is why we are asked to immerse ourselves in the truth of God's Word. Jesus himself says, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32 ESV). The truth will set you free.

When we choose to trust Jesus actively, we choose to believe his words and promises. Belief leads to action, action leads to transformation. If I want to be transformed, I have to take every thought captive and align it with the truth of God's Word. Especially the truth about who he says I am, HIS! I am not my sin, that has been covered and forgiven. I am not my career, which is temporal and inadequate of a child of the king. I am HIS. The cross says so. When I begin to believe (ACTIVELY TRUST) that I am his, that I am loved, that I am wanted by him, that I am given purpose by him, then I begin to live a transformed life. A life of hope that becomes visible and attractive to everyone we rub shoulders with. It is then that we can live out 1 Peter 3:15, "Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it."

Are we as a church living transformed lives that others would be attracted to? This not only speaks to our effectiveness as a church, but it also speaks to our own inner life health and freedom. We live transformed because we live free! Are you living free?