“…do not be CONFORMED (suschematizo: to follow the same pattern or form) to this world, but be TRANSFORMED (metamorphoō: to change into another form, undergo a spiritual transformation, become a spiritual man.) by the renewing of your mind, that YOU MAY PROVE what is that good and acceptable and PERFECT WILL OF GOD.” (Rom. 12:2) The word metamorphose comes from this, which is changing into a different physical form, like from a caterpillar to a butterfly or from a tadpole to a frog.
Some people try to conform their natural man, to a Christlike life style, “…the NATURAL MAN does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are SPIRITUALLY DISCERNED.” (1 Corin. 2:14)
The problem with being conformed is, our spiritual man is not alive unless we are transformed. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but THE SPIRIT WHO IS FROM GOD, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” (1 Corin. 2:12) So, as a spiritual man we may say with the psalmist, “Lord…I am CONTINUALLY WITH YOU; You hold me by my right hand. Whom have I in heaven BUT YOU? And there is none upon earth that I desire BESIDES YOU.” (Psa. 73:23, 25)
When I went to the altar, I was addicted to drugs and alcohol. I committed my life to Christ and was INSTANTLY TRANSFORMED to a life free from these addictions, I got up as BRAND NEW creation in Christ.
MY LIFE BECAME PROOF THAT I NOW BELONGED TO JESUS…
-Bill Stockham