By Jennifer Moreno
The word transformation means a complete or major change in someone, a marked change in appearance or character. This word really carries a lot of weight, in the sense that when Christ speaks about transforming us, He means changing from the inside out.
The transformation that G-d speaks of in His word refers to change or renewal from a life that no longer conforms to the ways of the world to one that pleases G-d. (Romans 12:2).
This doesn’t mean we’re no longer a part of the world, it just means we’re no longer involved in it; it’s ways of thinking, social conditioning and everything else this world chooses to believe.
The transformation of our lives begins with the gospel message of Christ, for in it is the power of G-d.
2 Corinthians 3:18 shows more evidence of this transformation – “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
What it is saying here is that we are beholding this glory by being transformed into the same image that reflects G-d. As we see the glory of the Lord that is within us through our union with Christ, our outer selves will begin to reflect His glory.
Many Christians envision G-d’s glory as being too far off in heaven, but when we allow G-d to work in our lives, we have access to beholding this glory that is in us. Col 1:27 says – “To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
Take a look at this parable from George MacDonald, it explains in simple terms how G-d intends and works to transform us.
[Imagine yourself as a living house. G-d comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you though of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage, but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.]
How powerful and accurate is that parable? Very much so I believe.
A transformed life should mirror the attitude of the apostle Paul. Paul couldn’t have said it any better – “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body. I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
G-d’s love for us is ever lasting, plentiful and He wishes nothing more than to transform us; but that can only happen if we cooperate. The process will be long and many times painful, but that is what we’re in for when we accept Jesus Christ into our lives. He expects nothing less and He meant every word He said.
You want the Lord to work through you, you want Him to use you? Then let Him have the whole you, yield to the Holy Spirit and experience a renewal of the mind.
May the Lord bless you and give you peace. Amen.
GODLY WORDS MINISTRIES 
I would agree with much of what you said, the idea of a true christian is one who directs themselves on a path to God; holiness, sanctity, morality. I would like to add that the best mechanism by which this transformation is driven is the concept of metanoia (repentance).
To echo the call of St. John the Baptist “repent for the kingdom of God is near”. But this calling goes far deeper then merely verbally renouncement of vices, or a declaration of faith. To repent in the biblical sense is to drop our false ideas, our idols, our ego, so that we can be transformed from the false self of old to a true self.
This is also not a one-time ordeal, to liken it to a declaration of faith. Metanoia is more like what is popularly called sanctification. It is the way in which we should die daily. It means being open to the mystery of God and embracing our questions, doubt, and fleeting sentimentality, not to seize at the door of faith, but rather to struggle and cause us to grow by grappling with what we don’t know, or believed falsely.
Matthew 16:25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. That is not to say that we lose our identity in the abyss of God, Rather that we can begin to become who who we were always meant to be in the light of Christ.
In this understanding we read Paul’s quote from galations; “I have been crucified with Christ (Repented from old) and I (false self or ego) no longer live, but Christ lives in me (true self). The life I(true identity of Paul) live in the body. I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me”
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