The Material for Spiritual Transformation

What we encounter in daily living—family, work, church, community, challenges—provides the material for spiritual transformation.  The natural life is ours to transform into spiritual—through obedience to the will of God!

“The spiritual did not come first, but the natural, and after that the spiritual.”
1 Corinthians 15:46

Salvation is the birth day of the believer.  The ensuing years are meant to be a journey toward Christ-likeness.  Just as babies progress through stages in the natural life, Christians must grow to maturity in a multi-dimensional manner.  Increased knowledge is an important dimension.  The Word teaches us about our identity and limits, God’s sovereignty and expansiveness as well as our common enemy: evil. We must invest our time and mind in the Bible.

Another dimension is the disciplined obedience that works that knowledge into the fabric of life.  Living out the knowledge we gain is an absolutely necessity.  Too many, ‘soak and sour’ by living according to their own desires instead of His!

Knowledge and obedience broaden the life of the Christian.  Spiritual depth, however, only occurs with the work of God.  Knowing—and even doing—without total reliance on the miraculous work of God leaves our natural life flat! So what does the work of God look like?  It looks like total reliance on God.

“Jesus answered, ‘The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.’ ”  John 6:29

A natural life that exhibits continual striving while paying lip-service to “trusting God” may be flat-lined.  Supernatural living demands living beyond your ability.  It means trusting God to guide you more than you trust your own ability to follow.  Trusting God means you will be okay with making mistakes and being human.  You will lay down the need to continually self-critique—because you know God critiqued you, found you wanting and paid the debt.   If being wrong terrifies you, love has not yet found completion in you; it may be your pride you want to protect.

Letting go of personal control does not mean living without discipline.  Every detail of life matters to God.  We want to know His will and purpose in all things, and then obey to the limit of our abilities—trusting Him to accomplish much more.  One way to practice this multi-dimensional living is to format your prayers (for yourself and others) to this acrostic:  BLESS.

B–Bodies
Physical weaknesses reveal needs.  Ask God to reveal Himself in you as the strength that transforms the challenges.

L—Life Stress
Schedules, finances,  and responsibilities can overwhelm us.  Ask God to help you prioritize according to His desires.

E—Emotions
Emotions are a gift from God, not a curse.  They warn us, and help us relate to God and others.  There is no emotion bigger than God.  Ask Him to enter into your emotions with His presence and purpose.

S—Social
God created us for relationship.  Submitting relationships to His design is the only way to fulfillment.

S—Spiritual
Ask God to give you a burning desire for Him and reveal which activities will strengthen your bond with Him!

What area in your life needs spiritual transformation? Are you willing to surrender it completely to God?