“…we are taking pains TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT, not only in the eyes of the LORD but also in the eyes of MAN.” (2 Corinthians 8:21) How are we able “TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT?” “…do not be CONFORMED to this world, but be TRANSFORMED by the renewing of your mind, so that you may PROVE what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
CONFORMED is from suschēmatizō: which means, to be like everyone else. TRANSFORMED is from metamorphoō: to be changed into another form. This is what God does when we are “Born again.” “…if anyone is in Christ, HE IS A NEW CREATION; old things have passed away; behold, ALL THINGS HAVE BECOME NEW. Now ALL THINGS ARE OF GOD, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has GIVEN US the MINISTRY OF RECONCILIATION (katallagē: renewal of favor with God)” (2 Corinthians 5:17)
This means that the life WE LIVE NOW, proves to the world, that we are A CHILD OF GOD. I can remember so clearly the night I got saved, I have shared this before, I walked into the private restroom at my place of work, the Lord wrapped His arms around me and said, “Bill, I love you!” That love EXPOSED the sin in my life, I fell to my knees and said, “I am so sorry.” With the commode as my altar, I just cried as I felt this MASSIVE BURDEN being LIFTED OFF OF ME! I did not know how to describe it then, but I WAS TRANSFORMED! I became a new creation in Christ!!!
I remember the next day when I woke up and drove to work, everything looked so beautiful outside, I was looking through new eyes. King Solomon said, “He [God] has made EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL in its time” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). IT HAS BEEN SO WONDERFUL FOR 51 YEARS NOW!
Your personal Pastor -Bill Stockham