A simple man from deep in the backwoods took his family to the big city for the first time. He and his son wandered into the lobby of a fancy hotel. They watched an old, ragged cleaning lady limp into the elevator. They were puzzled when the door automatically closed. A few minutes later the door opened, and out bounced an attractive, nicely dressed young lady, looking like she stepped off a magazine cover. The man shouted, “Son, quick! Go get your mother and put her in there!”
How I wish we could just step behind a magical door and come out changed. Too bad transformation is not that simple or painless.
Many Christians superstitiously believe that there is a magical and painless means of positive change. They think that if they just get the right “anointed man of God” to personally lay hands on them, then all will be instantly and permanently changed, especially if they fall down and give a big mandatory freewill love offering. So, many Christians run from meeting to meeting, never really changing where it matters most.
I am certainly not against the laying on of hands. I believe in and practice it as a foundational teaching of the Faith (Hebrews 6:1,2), but it takes more than empty hands on empty heads to bring about lasting change.
So the question is: How can a person change? Or to put it another way, how does God change a person?
As most of us can testify, willpower alone is rarely sufficient. Most positive and permanent change requires God’s power. But God’s power is not as mystical as a slap on the head at an altar call. The Bible sites at least three ways God’s power can bring good and lasting change in our lives.
1. REAL DISCIPLESHIP produces change.
“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31,32)
Those who hold to the truth are real disciples. Those who do not are false disciples. Real disciples progressively change for the better. Fakes stay the same. Disciples are changed as they boldly and humbly face the truth of God’s Word and the truth about themselves. Facing truth brings freedom. When we see truth, we cannot stay the same. Either we change for the better by responding in obedience or we change for the worse by hardening our hearts. For better or for worse, truth changes us all.
2. REFLECTING GOD’S GLORY produces change.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:17,18)
Paul tells the Corinthian disciples that freedom, transformation, or change is possible as they get in the presence of the Holy Spirit, as they gaze on and reflect the glory that is found only in God’s presence. Just as the moon reflects the light of the sun, having no light of its own, we are to reflect the glory of God. As we spend time in the presence of the Spirit of God, we cannot stay the same; we will experience freedom and change.
3. RENEWING THE MIND produces change.
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)
Good and bad change starts in the mind. First we think it; then we do it. As we fill our minds with God’s Word, we will think God’s thoughts and do His will. If we fill our minds with garbage, we will act and smell like trash.
Sorry, but there is no magic door we can step into and come out changed. We must change the same way the original followers of Jesus changed: by submitting our lives to biblical discipleship, by spending time face to face with God’s glory, and by making daily Bible reading top priority.
