In meditations 30, 34 and 45, we saw that God’s Spirit directs the transformation process into Christ-likeness in all God’s reborn children during their walk on earth.
Yet, there are many reasons why God’s Spirit might be hindered in continuing this Christlike transformation in people’s lives. It is even possible that this transformation to Christ-likeness never even starts in some people who have been born again. It is also possible that it stops prematurely.
When Christlike transformation never really starts...
It is possible that I have accepted Jesus Christ as my personal Saviour and Lord and know that I am God’s child, yet at the same time have no knowledge about being born again by God’s Spirit.
This might be caused by the kind of teaching that I have received. It is possible that the church’s teaching focuses on 'God’s grace' and 'salvation by faith in Jesus’ sacrifice' without ever underlining the work of God’s Spirit in leading a person to rebirth.
Surely, in this case, I am a genuine child of God since saving faith itself is a work of God’s Spirit (see the ‘salvation pictures’ in meditations 38 to 43). However, through a lack of biblical knowledge regarding the Holy Spirit and His work in our lives, the process of Christlike transformation might never really start...
The apostle Paul shows the link between saving faith and the reception of God’s Spirit when he writes to the Ephesian Christians: “You also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit...”
(Ephesians 1:13)
Jesus himself teaches that a real conviction of sin is the work of God’s Spirit in someone’s heart: “When he [God’s Spirit, the Comforter] comes, he will convince the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgement.” (John 16:7)
The apostle Paul is clear about the fact that being God’s child means having God’s Spirit. He writes to the Christians in Rome:
“If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.” (Romans 8:9)
Actually, the early church might not have known this problem. As we read the New Testament, it is clear that the followers of Jesus had all received God’s Spirit and knew about His work in their lives. In the same way, God wants us to know about the person of the Holy Spirit and his work in us. The Bible teaches clearly that the Holy Spirit wants to start this Christlike transformation in our hearts right from the day of our salvation!
When the seed of Christlike transformation never really germinates...
We just mentioned that this transformation process is hardly possible if I am not taught about the presence of God’s Spirit in my life from the start of my faith in Christ.
However, it is also possible that I have experienced rebirth by God’s Spirit without ever being taught about the prospect of Christlike transformation.
I might have been taught about the work of God’s Holy Spirit and his gifts to the church. I might have an immense knowledge about all kinds of biblical facts and figures. I might even be a pastor or a Bible teacher. And yet, I might also lack a clear vision about God’s desire to change my life by his Spirit into the likeness of his Son.
In that case a true and genuine transformation into Christ-likeness might hardly germinate. As we mentioned before, the early church in the book of Acts and the letters of the apostles was thoroughly aware about God’s intention to change them into the likeness of Christ. They might not have had this kind of problem.
When Christlike transformation only develops partially...
If I know about 'life through God’s Spirit', but focus on 'spiritual gifts' and 'spiritual experience', I might be in danger of only partially growing into the likeness of Christ.
‘Spiritual pretension’ about what I am and what I possess 'through God’s Spirit' might hinder a genuine transformation into Christ-likeness. I think that this was one of the problems of the church in Corinth.
Speaking about 'the wisdom of God’s Spirit', the apostle Paul says to the christians in Corinth:
“Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn't talk to you as I would to mature Christians.
I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.
I had to feed you with milk and not with solid food, because you couldn't handle anything stronger.
And you still aren't ready, for you are still controlled by your own sinful desires.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-3a)
Growing into Christ-likeness initially has to do with character building rather than spiritual gifting and experience.
When Christlike transformation is obstructed by disobedience...
I might have started a life with Christ and have enjoyed the Spirit’s work in my heart. I might even have experienced the process of transformation we have spoken about so often – until the moment I opened my heart to sin and gave in to temptation.
The apostle Paul warns the christians in Corinth of such a danger when he writes:
"All these events (of Israel’s history) happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us, who live at the time when this age is drawing to a close.
If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin.
But remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience.
And God is faithful. He will keep the temptation from becoming so strong that you can't stand up against it.
When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you will not give in to it." (1 Corinthians 10:11-13)
The sorrow I have brought to God’s Spirit by my disobedience will be taken away when I acknowledge my waywardness and commit myself again to being led by God’s Spirit.
The apostle John comforts us by saying: “If we confess our sins to him [God], he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.” (1 John 1:9)
When Christlike transformation is frustrated...
I might have known the Spirit’s transforming work in my life but then might return to a lifestyle of self-righteousness in trying to obey God’s laws in my own strength. In that case I will frustrate the transforming work of God’s Spirit.
Paul alerts the Galatian christians of such a heresy:
“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?
Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.
I would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what you heard?
Are you so foolish?
After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” (Galatians 3:1-3)
In this case I could stifle the work of God’s Spirit in my heart and return to a life of self-reliance and self-righteousness. I would need to learn anew what Christlike transformation is all about and how only God’s Spirit is able to accomplish this.
When Christlike transformation comes to a halt...
If I have known God’s work in my life, but then return to a worldly lifestyle, give up the faith and/or follow false teachings, then I bring the work of God’s Spirit in my heart to a halt. The Bible warns us earnestly about such a ruinous attitude.
Paul writes to his co-worker Timothy: “Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica...”
(2 Timothy 4:10)
The apostle John warns us for such conduct when he writes: “Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you.
For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world.
And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.” (1 John 2:15-17)
The apostle Paul instructs Timothy: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
We bring joy to God - Father, Son and Spirit – when we entrust ourselves to being led by the Holy Spirit.
As I am God’s reborn child, He wants me to understand that my body is a vehicle [temple] of His Spirit in this world.
The apostle Paul reminds the followers of Jesus in Corinth of the importance of their bodies in the transforming work of God’s Spirit: “Don't you know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?
You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.”
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
Paul urges the christians in Ephesus: “Do not bring sorrow to God's Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he is the one who has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)
Paul cautions God’s reborn children in Thessalonica not to obstruct the leading of His Spirit in their hearts by taking the reins of life in their own hands again: “Do not stifle the Holy Spirit.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:19)
Finally, to the christians in Rome Paul writes: “Dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice-- the kind he will accept.
When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask?
Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new [Christlike] person by changing the way you think.
Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.”
(Romans 12:1-2)
Christlike transformation might be prevented or stifled in people’s private lives. However, it also might be hindered or halted in the life of entire churches or other Christian communities. That will be the theme of our next meditation.
The Bible verses Ephesians 1:13, Romans 8:9, Galatians 3:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:10 and 1 Timothy 4:1-2 are quotes of the New International Version. The other texts are quoted from the New Living Translation.
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