The Old Topic of Transformation

It is no surprise that transformation is an old topic.  It is central to the Bible.  But sometimes we may forget that writers have been discussing this very topic for centuries.  Martin Luther found a book that discusses transformation with great insight and depth.  He said" Next to the Bible and St. Augustine, no has ever come into my hands from which I have learned more of God and Christ, and man and all things that are."  The book he refers to one written around 1350 by a member of a group called "Friends of God."  We do not know exactly who the author was, but he obviously was a friend of God.  Thankfully the book is now part of the public domain and you can either google Theological Germanica or follow the this link to the pdf version Click Here

There has been and always will be (till we join the Lord) a debate between the outward and inward man.  Some want to beat themselves into submission while others wait on the Lord to bring change in their lives.  The reality is there is a middle ground.  And it is not something new!

The following is take from the course, "Spiritual Formation" developed by DAI associates:


"Four Types of People  But mark this: There are four sorts of people who deal in different ways with order, laws, and customs.

  The Compelled  
1. Some keep them neither for God’s sake, nor to serve their own ends, but from constraint: these have as little to do with them as may be, and find them a burden and heavy yoke.  

The Meritorious or Reward Folk (self-disciplined)
 2. The second sort obey for the sake of reward. These are people who know nothing beside, or better than, laws and precepts, and imagine that by keeping them they may obtain the kingdom of Heaven and Eternal Life, and not otherwise. Those who practice many ordinances they think to be holy. Those who omit any smallest element of them they think to be lost. Such people are very much in earnest and give great diligence to the work, and yet they find it a weariness.  

The Perfect or Free Spirits (self-deluded)
 3. The third sort are wicked and false-hearted, who dream and declare that they are perfect and need no ordinances, and make a mockery of them.  

The Illumined (the responsive)

 4. The fourth are those who are enlightened with the True Light, who do not practice these things for reward. They neither look nor desire to get anything thereby, but all that they do is from love alone. And these are not so anxious and eager to accomplish much and with all speed as the second sort, but rather seek to do things in peace and good leisure. If they neglect some small matter, they do not therefore think themselves lost. They know very well that order and fitness are better than disorder, and therefore they choose to walk orderly. At the same time they know that their salvation does not hang thereon. Therefore they are not in such great anxiety as the others.


Following the Middle Path

These fourth are judged and blamed by both the other parties, for the hirelings (that is the Reward Folks) say that they neglect their duties and accuse them of being unrighteous, and the like. The others (that is, the Free Spirits) hold them in derision. They say that they cleave unto weak and beggarly elements, and the like. But the enlightened ones keep the middle path, which is also the best; for a lover of God is better and dearer to Him than a hundred thousand hirelings. It is the same with all their actions.   Furthermore, note this well, that to receive God’s commands and His counsel and all His teaching, is the privilege of the inward person, according to which he is united with God. Where there is such a union, the outward person is surely taught and ordered by the inward, so that no outward commandment or teaching is needed (My emphasis). But the commandments and laws of human beings belong to the outer person. They are needful for those who know nothing better. Otherwise they would not know what to do and what to refrain from, and would become like dogs or other beasts.

Happiness and Transformation

What is the use of studying transformation if it does not make us happy? Is happiness what God wants for us? We live in a world that keeps telling us happiness is around the corner. It is in the next big thing I am wanting. Until I get it and realize happiness from things is fleeting at best. While that seems obvious from scripture it is also proven in science. The following is based on research I have read on happiness:


I have done a fair amount of reading on “happiness” in studying the ways of the heart. Happiness is pretty much hardwired. To a great degree happiness is part of our personality and we have a happiness ‘set” point. Research show three things that affect happiness.

1. Ecstatic Happiness – that which comes from buying the thing we wanted, getting the partner we sought, sex, drugs, ice cream. The up side is happiness comes, but only lasts a short time. If we pursue the same thing to obtain the same level of happiness the next time it requires a little more of the same experience to get the same response….addiction is often the result.

2. Zone or flow Happiness – When we are doing that for which we believe we are called to do, have the skills to do, and gain great joy while doing it. There is a level of happiness that comes from fulfilling a dream based on who we are created to be.

3. Benevolence – ironically we are often most happy when we give of ourselves to someone or something without expectation of return. Think of the person on the street who is begging and the since of joy or happiness that comes from giving a donation. Why is it we have volunteers? There is a real since of happiness that comes from giving of ourselves and our resources to a cause bigger than ourselves without expectation of return.

Many of those who are part of the Positive Psychology movement write on and do research on happiness. One of my favorites is Sonja Lyubomirsky - http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/bloggers/sonja-lyubomirsky

See her article on money: http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=can-money-buy-happiness

Happiness is a by-product of knowing who we are in Christ and being transformed in order to fulfill my calling (Eph. 2:10).  Our best chance at happiness is understanding that the more I am who God made me to be the greater the internal joy in fulfilling that purpose.

Be Happy, Be Transformed

Transformed to Transform

Our call as Christians is to be engaged with Jesus so that we might engage the world with eternity.  ICM is getting ready to move into the "next" 25 years of ministry.  Our desire is not to build  buildings (though we are) or establish large organizations (though we have) but to engage leaders with authentic transformation so that the same leaders might engage the world with authentic Christianity.  So, what is "authentic" transformation?

The beginning of all change is based on the recognition that we are not what we should be based on a model of what could be.  Every Christian is tainted by the sin nature that seeks to align us and conform us to a world led by the Prince of this World, Satan.  Authentic change begins at the point of need.  I recognize that apart from the Grace of God I am locked into a self serving life that seeks to suck happiness out of my every experience...and generally fails.  Authentic transformation understands that we are in a battle with our own flesh, Satan and the things of this world and apart from God we will lose.  Authentic transformation recognizes that God calls us to become like Jesus and the call comes with the power (Grace) to be transformed.  Authentic transformation recognizes that I must "choose" to be transformed, but the power of transformation comes from God alone.

Authentic transformation recognizes that apart from God I can do nothing of eternal value, but with God I can "do all things through him who strengthens me."  Our desire is to see those who have been transformed reaching across nations and continents to bring the Grace of transformation into every nation, tongue and tribe!
Phil