Transformer
When you see the word “transformer” do you think of those toys that turn from a car or truck to a robot and back, or maybe the movies and cartoons about them? My grandsons are very much into transformers – just like their father was at one time.
The work of God is the work of transformation. In this life, He takes what we are and transforms us into what we were created to be = His own children.
His work begins with transforming how we think and act in this life, as outlined in Romans 12:2 [ESV] 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. He bends and shapes are hearts and minds, our words and work through His Holy Spirit till our hearts, minds, words and works are in His image.
His work ends with a total transformation into something else entirely – something completely new and different from what we are now. 1 Corinthians 15:51-53 [NKJV] 51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal [must] put on immortality.
The word translated “change” in both verse 51 and 52 means “to change, to exchange one thing for another, to transform”. We will cast off mortal and put on immortality – no longer to look in His image but to actually be made into His image.
But there is another kind of transformer that we should be thinking about. An electrical transformer is a device that “transfers electric energy from one alternating-current circuit to one or more other circuits, either increasing (stepping up) or reducing (stepping down) the voltage.”
Romans 12:2 [ESV] Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,
We are meant to be conduits for God’s love, His grace, His Word and the Gospel message, transferring them into the world around us by speaking of them and, even more importantly, living them out. The love of God and the knowledge of God that we receive are not ours to hold onto.
This is what Jesus told His disciples to do. Matthew 10:7-8 [NKJV] 7 "And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' 8 "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
The Holy Spirit is a spirit of power, not of weakness or fear. [See 2 Timothy 1:7] It is the power to change, not only us, but also through us to change the world.
Unless, that is, you or I elect to be the type of transformer that reduces the voltage of the Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, “Do not quench the Spirit.” And Jesus warned against hiding that light of God under a basket or bed. [See Mark 4:21]
We should also be a conduit for the Holy Spirit, passing along the high-voltage connection to God into words and deeds that transfer the love of God from within us out into the world around us. If we do, we will have the power to change this world – to light it up with love and hope and good. We are meant to be His transformers.
Go out and charge up the world by being a transformer of the Holy Spirit.
I welcome your comments and questions. You can write me in the comments section or at Nancy@DyanmicChristianMinistries.org
P.S. I am working on a series focused on the three letters of John the Apostle (1, 2, 3 John) and comparing them to his telling of his time with Jesus in the Gospel of John. Hope to start sharing that with you soon.