“But I have prayed
especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you
yourself have turned again, strengthen and
establish your brethren”.—Luke 22:32
Mostly when the word transformation
is used people have a tendency to think of personal appearance not character.
Most people agree that they are not
perfect, but do not give any thought as-to-how they could improve themselves. Little, if any, effort is used to transform our characters.
Peter is an example of someone whose character was transformed from being an impulsive,
self-absorbed know-it-all, to a servant-leader
who was used mightily for kingdom purposes.
Peter’s pride got in the way of God’s purposes. When Jesus’ words conflicted with Peter’s
opinions, the disciple boldly rebuked the Teacher, “Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter
said to Him, ‘Lord, are You washing my feet?’ Jesus answered and said to
him, ‘What I am doing you do not understand now, but you
will know after this.’ Peter said to Him, ‘You shall
never wash my feet!’ Jesus answered him, ‘If I do not wash you,
you have no part with Me’” (John 13:6-8).
Christ had need of a servant-leader to guide believers in
the new-found Church after His return to heaven. The Lord saw through Peter’s arrogance to his
potential. “The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will
be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among
you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest
gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you,
but being examples to the flock; and when the
Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade
away” (1 Peter 5:1-6).
God sees each believer as the person he or she will be when
fully yielded to Jesus Christ. He then
sets about achieving that complete renovation by transforming the individual’s present self into the image of His Son. “And do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed
by the renewing of your mind so that you may prove what the will of God is,
that which is good, and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2 emphasis added). “And we know that all things
work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called
according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew,
He also predestined to be conformed
to the image of His Son, that He might
be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also
called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these
He also glorified” (Romans 8:28-30 emphasis added).
An essential step in our transformation involves removing whatever is unnecessary, damaged, or outmoded. In our case, what must go are the areas of self-will. God, the master-builder, targets habits, attitudes, and even relationships where we act independently of His purposes. The end result of our transformation is that we, like Paul, can regard ourselves as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God and that we be found transformed trustworthy servant-leaders (1 Corinthians 4:1-2).
If the Holy Spirit is quickening you in some areas that need
to be transformed in your character,
get a piece a paper and write them down.
Next lift them up to the Lord by praying:
Prayer—Father I lift
this (these) _______________ up to you.
Holy Spirit you have shown me that You desire for me to be transformed
in these areas. By faith, I yield myself
to You, Lord Jesus, the master Craftsman, to shape and mold me into what you want
me to be as a servant-leader, in Jesus Name. Amen.
