TRANSFORMATION AND MATURITY COME THROUGH THE FIRE OF TRUTH
TRANSFORMATION. When I think of the many things that GOD has done and given me in my life, Transformation stands at the Top of the list. Today, AI defines transformation as a significant Change in form, structure, appearance, character, or function. A Dramatic or Fundamental SHIFT occurs.; Often means a Complete or Major CHANGE that improves something or someone. Synonyms include Metamorphisis, Renewal, Revolution, and Shift. Going from an Original State to a New State. A Rotation, Reflection, Translation and Dilation. New Perspective, with adaptation, courage, and New Possibilities. All very interesting, but the one thing I see missing that is Essential I Believe for TRUE TRANSFORMATION is a beginning Element of a Cornerstone that TRUTH is built upon. For ME, that TRUTH is GOD. Many today struggle with Truth. HOW do we Define it ? Absolute ? Relative ? What do we Trust to Recognize it ? Science ? Intellect ? Our Mind and Senses ? Tradition or History ? FAITH ? Is Truth apparent and visible only in That Way, or can Truth be more visceral and Experienced Deeper ? Is Truth only in our Mind ? Ahhh…perhaps the most important TRUTHS come from our HEART ! As a Follower of Jesus, and also having a Powerful and Assured BELIEF IN GOD, my viewpoint hinges on a GODLY WORLD VIEW. If a person doesn’t believe in God, then they will have a WORLDLY VIEWPOINT. THOSE TWO FOUNDATIONAL BELIEFS COULD NOT BE FURTHER APART. Through My Biblical World View, another of God’s Truths become Clearly Evident.
FOR NO ONE CAN LAY ANY FOUNDATION OTHER THAN WHAT HAS BEEN LAID DOWN. THAT FOUNDATION IS JESUS CHRIST. IF ANYONE BUILDS ON THE FOUNDATION WITH GOLD, SILVER, COSTLY STONES, WOOD, HAY, OR STRAW, EACH ONE’S WORK WILL BECOME OBVIOUS. FOR THE DAY WILL DISCLOSE IT, BECAUSE IT WILL BE REVEALED BY FIRE; THE FIRE WILL TEST THE QUALITY OF EACH ONE’S WORK. IF ANYONE’S WORK THAT HE HAS BUILT SURVIVES, HE WILL RECEIVE A REWARD. IF ANYONE’S WORK IS BURNED UP, HE WILL EXPERIENCE LOSS, BUT HE HIMSELF WILL BE SAVED- BUT ONLY AS THROUGH FIRE. 1 Corinthians 3: 11-15
THE SUM OF YOUR WORD IS TRUTH, AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR RIGHTEOUS RULES ENDURES FOREVER. Psalm 119: 160
WHEN THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH COMES, HE WILL GUIDE YOU INTO ALL THE TRUTH, FOR HE WILL NOT SPEAK ON HIS OWN AUTHORITY, BUT WHATEVER HE HEARS HE WILL SPEAK, AND HE WILL DECLARE TO YOU THE THINGS THAT ARE TO COME. John 16:13
AND YOU WILL KNOW THE TRUTH, AND THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE. John 8:32
TRUTH is not what I say it is,…TRUTH is what God Proclaims ! Mankind will Manipulate Truth to meet Cultural Agendas, and for the most part manifest two distinct things: Intolerance for Discourse, and Division not Unity. ME vs You. Us vs Them. GOD calls EVERYONE to be His People; IN UNITY ! Interesting how the “Spirit” of Truth will “Guide” us into All Truth. False Truth will only guide us into Division, Argumentation, and ultimately HATRED. Look around…..it is Everywhere. Truth also ENDURES FOREVER ! Isn’t it interesting that Today’s Truth becomes Tomorrows Ashes, as Fire Tests Them All ! JESUS walked with Mankind over 2000 years ago, and HE STILL IS ! Let’s see where today’s truths from the wisdom of man stack up. Many Are Burning Up NOW from the oh so recent past:) I try to count ALL the things in my life that needed, and have been, TRANSFORMED THROUGH JESUS CHRIST.…Where do I Begin ? From Sin to Salvation. From Immaturity to a Path Toward Maturity. From confusion to Clarity. From self desire to STEWARDSHIP ! From contemplation to FAITH. From foolishness to WISDOM. From Self Rule to THE FEAR OF GOD ! One of the ideas that I often ponder : “There is nothing New under the sun.” King Solomon found this to be so in his time, and while it seems that certain things come to light that make our lives more “comfortable”, the major struggles and issues that have been a constant storm in the lives of mankind Are Still Present;( As a Christian, it took me a long time to understand the ideas of life being but a “vapor”; Life here on earth being the “blink of an eye” compared to Eternal Life. When one trusts and believes the Truths that the world produces, is it any surprise that So Many foundational thoughts and efforts Just Don’t Hold Up. We can all find some worldly absolute truths….but the question is, “Are they important, and won’t they surely be “challenged” by the foolishness of mankind’s wisdom ? News Flash ! TRUTH MUST BE RELEVANT AND HAVE MEANING !!! Chasing false truths bring self evident results; “Money does not bring Eternal Happiness, but it can bring blessings and move Purpose if used as God Orders….Ahhh, but that takes “RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD” to see the Transformantional Meaning and Results:) DO YOU HEAR GOD SPEAKING TO YOU ?
TEACH ME YOUR WAY, O LORD, THAT I MAY WALK IN YOUR TRUTH; UNITE MY HEART TO FEAR YOUR NAME. Psalm 86:11
BEHOLD, YOU DELIGHT IN TRUTH IN THE INWARD BEING, AND YOU TEACH ME WISDOM IN THE SECRET HEART. Psalm 51:6
AND WE ALL, WITH UNVEILED FACE, BEHOLDING THE GLORY OF THE LORD, ARE BEING TRANSFORMED INTO THE SAME IMAGE FROM ONE DEGREE OF GLORY TO ANOTHER. FOR THIS COMES FROM THE LORD WHO IS THE SPIRIT. 2 Corinthians 3:18
Transformation comes for each of us when we are Tested and Challenged about what is True and Meaningful. Truth and Meaning MOVE US from Immaturity to MATURITY. DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF SIGNIFICANT ISSUES ! Simple Truth is simply “Simple”. Knowledge needs a Reason and Action to be Useful and Relevant. God’s Spirit takes us out of the Flesh and its simple existence into SPIRITUAL TRUTH AND MEANING:) It is a journey; it is a choice; it Defies worldly thought and wisdom. To many, it will be as Folly….for now….but not when one stares into the Eternal. Ashes to Ashes, and Dust to Dust. Nothing More ? OPEN UP YOUR HEART AND SEE GOD’S TRUTH, AND MAY IT TRANSFORM YOU INTO A JOURNEY TOWARD MATURITY, AND A HOLY PLACE AND PURPOSE IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Jesus tore the veil for those who believe that they may See God, and Meet Him face to face in their lives. May your Eyes and Heart BE OPENED ! KING OF KINGS, LORD OF LORDS. YOURS AND MINE/JAA
I HAVE BEEN CRUCUFIED WITH CHRIST. IT IS NO LONGER I WHO LIVE, BUT CHRIST WHO LIVES IN ME. AND THE LIFE I NOW LIVE IN THE FLESH, I LIVE BY FAITH IN THE SON OF GOD, WHO LOVED ME AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR ME. Galatians 2:20