When my kids were toddlers, going to the grocery store was quite an event. I would do everything I could to make sure they weren’t running amuck, but inevitably, things I didn’t need would end up in the cart and I’d have to go and put things back. When they didn’t get something they wanted, I heard about it. They liked to flop themselves on the ground or in the cart and complain that they were not getting what they wanted. If you have kids, I’m sure you’ve been in the exact scenario where the kids are throwing a tantrum at not getting something they think they desperately need (usually candy and toys.)
You may be laughing to yourself right now remembering those times. Or maybe you’re a parent in the middle of that phase right now. (I pray for you.) But how often do we as Christians do the same thing when we don’t get what we think God owes us? How often do we start throwing a fit and fall on the floor to do the “salmon flop” when things don’t go our way?
It’s time to grow up. God is calling us up but we continue to throw a tantrum when we can’t see what He’s doing or why He’s not fixing what we think He should. The world tries to snare us. The Word says to not be conformed to the world but to be transformed. Satan tries to make a mockery of the grace of God by snaring us and showing us up as hypocrites.
How do we combat that?
We praise more. The immature thing to do is to throw a fit. The mature thing to do is praise–even when we don’t see. Even when we don’t like it. We praise.
The Word says that it is “not by might, not by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord.” So often we say we want to change the world, but we try to do it through our own power.
Why do we need to be transformed? Because we are fallen humans. We need Him to constantly be changing and refining us. Isn’t it beautiful that we God allows us to choose Him, at great risk to Himself?
Genesis 3:9-11 ESV
9 But the Lord God called to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” 10 And he said, “I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself.” 11 He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten of the tree of which I commanded you not to eat?”
God had to ask where Adam and Eve were. It’s not that He didn’t know where they were physically. He knew that they had stepped away from Him in the spirit by giving in to temptation and disobedience. Every generation of Mankind has been affected since. This is why we need Him to transform us, to bring us up into the maturity of the spirit that He has called all of us to!
Romans 12:1-2 ESV
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 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.
Why Do We Need to Be Transformed?
We have all fallen short (Romans 3:32). We all act out in accordance with the flesh, setting our minds on worldly things rather than the spirit (Romans 8:5-10). But the Word literally says that to set our minds and hearts on the things of this world is death. The good news is that the Spirit brings life!
Every believer will go through trial and tribulation in this life. Sometimes these trials are from the devil, but other times they are from God. Yes, I said it. From God. Sometimes the Lord leads us into a wilderness because He knows that a trial will perfect our faith and bring us into a greater level of maturity. In the wilderness, we can’t lean on our own understanding or power. We have to lean on Him, or that trial has the opportunity to break us. There is more good news in this, though. We never have to walk through a trial alone. Jesus said he would walk with us and give us His peace through it all.
1 Peter 2:1-3 ESV
So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander. 2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation— 3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
If we’ve tasted God's goodness, it’s time to grow up into the maturity of Jesus Christ. For too long we have been after the spiritual milk, but it's time to grow up!
What Needs Transforming?
“You’ll know what someone’s life is built on by the way they react to trials. “ - Jimmy Weaver
This is how God blesses us: He shows us what needs to change and we transform. How do we do this? Change your minds, as it says in Romans 12.
We often see trials as a punishment. The Lord doesn’t like to see us in pain. But the pain is well worth the journey to transformation. He knows that we will benefit, and the people we impact as well, when we submit to the process of becoming more like Him!
The Word is like a two-edged sword. It divides between soul and spirit (flesh and spirit) and is able to judge the intentions and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). We need the Word of God to divide between what is our flesh–the evil intentions and desires–and what is of the Spirit. Do you take pleasure in the Word when it cuts and reveals things that need to change? If we’re being honest, probably not. Sometimes, we do the “salmon flop.” We need a soft heart. I don’t want to be stubborn against the Word of God.
How Do We Transform?
We need to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Be willing to address the things that challenge our faith. We have to be willing to grow up in the spirit.
All of this takes humility and submission. Lay down your wants and look up–have an eternal perspective rather than getting angry or offended with God that things aren’t going your way. There’s too much at stake to remain baby Christians.
What’s At Stake If We Don’t Transform?
People are at stake. It’s always been and always will be about people in the Kingdom of God. Your faith is not just for you. That’s a selfish Gospel. Your faith is about becoming more like Jesus so you can bring others into the saving knowledge and experience of Jesus Christ.
It’s time to come up into maturity. It’s time to stop looking through the shallow lens of our wants and desires, and look up and out at the ripe field of harvest. It’s about souls–not only yours, but the people you have an opportunity to impact with your life!
