Changing from the Inside Out

"All things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son." 

Rom 8:28–29

It is God’s will that we would be sanctified. (I Thess 4:3)  What this means is that it is God’s desire that we should be transformed to be holy, set apart and more like Jesus.

Romans 8:29 informs us this way, “God has predestined us to be conformed into the image of His Son.”  As believers, the inner most parts of our lives should reflect what is in keeping with the fruit of His Spirit—qualities like joy, patience, peace, self-control, kindness and love. (Galatians 5:22-23)

The Apostle Peter reminds us this way in his second letter, “His Divine power has given us everything we need that pertains to life and godliness…  so then make every effort to add to your faith virtue… knowledge… steadfastness … self-control… brotherly kindness… and love.”  (II Peter 1:3-6)  Throughout God’s word, we are told again and again that if we claim to be followers of Jesus, it is God’s intention that we would be within.

That is one of the reasons we need to examine ourselves is that we take stock of what is the true condition of our hearts.  One question we could ask ourselves is “am I growing and changing to be more like Jesus or is my life more characterized by anxiety, lust, jealousy, worry and anger?  God wants to deliver us from these things.  He wants to change us that we would overflow with His love and character.

When there is a lack of transformation within our hearts, it is likely there are one of two reasons.  First, it could be that a person lacking a changed heart does not know Christ as Savior.  That person would still be dead in their sins and alienated from the life of God.  Because an unbeliever does not know God, God’ power is not at work transforming their life.  One of the miracles of the gospel is that when we receive Jesus Christ by faith, we are not only forgiven of our sins and reconciled to God, but then the Holy Spirit comes to live within us change us from the inside out.

A second reason, relates to those who have accepted Christ.  When the believer lacks transformation, it means that that person is not abiding deeply with Jesus and His word.   That person may be saved, but because he or she is focusing on self, the world and its desires, that person remains immature, lacking godly character.

It is God’s intention that we are transformed and changed from the inside out.  It is in our best interest to abound in the fruit of the Spirit and to be God-like.  It is far better to be filled with peace, love and joy, rather than bitterness, anger, and anxiety.  So let us not grow weary in well doing, for in due time we will reap if we do not give up.” (Gal 6:9)  The path forward to transformation is to seek God and put Him first, when we do that, we will then be “filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19)