Transformed

Transformed
(It’s a Heart Issue)
Romans 12:2
Deacon George Miller

Psst, wait a minute, ‘Is that George and Sandra’s son?’; ‘Isn’t that the carpenter, Joseph and Mary’s boy?’, ‘Lord, that’s Saul, the killer of Christians and you want me to do what?’
It’s always interesting how people choose to see individuals based on who they were, and perhaps doubting or refusing to believe who they are now. Whether you’re using the term redeemed, repentance or in this instance, transformed, the result is the same, “to Change, to be different”.

For instance, Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah, Jacob to Israel, and Simon to Peter. (No, I didn’t forget Saul to Paul because there is no Biblical evidence that God changed Saul’s name to Paul, but that’s a topic for another time).  Doesn’t the process of baptism represent a form of change or transformation, --- “On the confession of your faith”? How often have you heard (or maybe you said it yourself), I’m not where I should be but I’m not the person I used to be”! Why is it so difficult for people to believe that a person can change, or for purposes of this writing, to be “transformed"?

So, what is the definition of Transformation? A marked change, as in appearance or character, usually for the better. There were six pots/barrels that were filled with water, but it was wine that came out. The question is asked, (by some theologians) when did the transformation from water to wine occur, “It doesn’t matter when, it just happened”!! Man will always see you as you are now or have been, but God will always see what you will be.

Transformation can occur in either a physical, mental, or spiritual phase. Paul in Romans 12:2, speaks of a transformation involving the mind, but through my lens, I believe the change must originate in the heart, then transferred from the heart to the mind. Proverbs 23:7 (KJV & ESV), As a man believeth in his heart, so is he. When we decided to separate ourselves from the “Sinful World”, (yeah, I know, the world is still full of sin but, we as followers of Christ, as believers, we don’t do, act or say the things we did but lean more toward the things that are pleasing to God, right??!!).

In doing so, you probably lost relationships simply because you made the choice to be different, to walk a different path, to cleanse your heart, to renew your mind, to no longer be conformed to the patterns of the world. I said earlier that I believe the transformation has to originate in the heart, so I invite you to read James 1:23-25. We can’t be like the man who looks in the mirror, walks away and forgets what he saw. If your transformation is for form or fashion or outside show, forget it, because it lacks sincerity.

Here is what I often think about and invite you to do the same:
(1) If I had not been transformed, where would I be?
(2) If it had not been for his “Grace and Mercy that brought me through”, where would I be?
(3) How did I survive all the trials and tribulations of my life, and still be here?

Realizing that my transformation resulted in my ordination on 9-9-2001, knowing and being thankful that God had brought me from a mighty long way because I wasn’t born Deacon Miller. So, what is your testimony? Outwardly, do you have a new address, but inwardly still residing in the same old neighborhood? Never act like something on the outside that you’re not on the inside. Remember, the heart is where God will always look.

Prayer: To our father, our Lord, and our God. I thank you for my life transformation and for granting me the opportunity to be a witness to others that through my testimony and your cleansing, they may also have a heart change that will lead others to you, through the positive example they now display, in the precious name of Jesus. Amen, Amen & Amen.