Pursuing Transformation

Our task as ministers of the gospel is to help the believer along the way in his trek to express the fullness of Christ in his life. Although the presence of Christ is clearly revealed in the life of the person who accepts Him as Lord and Savior, the transformation of one’s character and life is a process. As expressed in Romans 12:2 there is the all too present possibility of the residue and defilement of the world making its mark on the believer.

In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus warned Peter of the perils of the way to be put there by Satan and at the same time, promised that He, Jesus, would bring him through. In this verse the point is made regarding the processes involved in his transformation. “And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

Conversion begins at the point of one’s new birth and is the process in life by which he is transformed into the image of Jesus. For some it happens much sooner than others. In Acts 3:19, Peter admonished, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.” This verse links three ideas to that of conversion:

1. It is linked to the command to “repent.” Repentance is the act of changing one’s mind, i. e. a paradigm shift. Conversion is based on a change in one’s point of view resulting in a changed life. In most cases it is a process rather than a single act. As one draws closer to Christ and is more aware of the conflicts in his own life, it results in a kind of desperation wherein he casts himself increasingly on Jesus, seeking the resolution of those ways that hinder his faith and faithfulness.
2. It results in an exposure of those entrenchments of mind, morals, and attitude that inhibit the blessings of God and the moving of the Spirit. When the Holy Spirit points out hurtful issues of life, one then has the option of receiving the cleansing and transforming power of the blood of Christ and the activity of the Holy Spirit by which they are neutralized. Such issues residing in one’s memory stubbornly persist there until they are addressed through confession, forgiveness (both God’s and ours), restitution, and reconciliation. At such time the pain and defilement being addressed are healed and removed bringing release and freedom
3. It is then that “times of refreshing” come from the Lord as one has a fresh awareness of His presence.

Our role, as ministers, is to:

1. Express to those to whom we are ministering the dangers and defilement that interrupt and impede their fellowship with God, pointing out the “minefields” of unjudged and unaddressed memories that plague their attempts at freedom and spirituality.


2. Arrange opportunities for them to address those memories through insightful prayer.


3. Help them to submit to the Lordship of Christ in his life.


4. Present ongoing opportunities for discipleship and Christian growth.

It is important that the body of Christ have new and more hands-on attention than it has previously had. All too often, people are treated as tools to be used to activate and enable our visions, rather than the objective of our ministry. As we help them find healing and help in their lives, they will expand and mature in the faith bringing new growth to the body.
Jeff