Transformation in Jesus Christ

by Carmen Williams

16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 2 Cor. 5:16-19

I grew up in the church, so I have heard this scripture all my life. And if your upbringing was similar to mine, you have definitely heard this scripture. When mentioned in church, the preacher often tends to give their definition or explanation about what it means to be “a new creation” in Jesus Christ, and one example often used is the life of the butterfly. We all know that butterflies do not begin their lives as these beautiful, colorful creatures. They are born as caterpillars first. Small, slithering, hungry caterpillars. These unassuming creatures eventually go through a process of metamorphosis to become the beautiful, flying creatures we see- and they look nothing like how they were born. I often see myself that way when I think of my transformation in Christ. 

It’s interesting to think of transformation in the context of Christianity, because it all happens internally. The only way we know somebody has been transformed in Christ, is by their outward expression. The change in how they speak, act, and carry themselves. However, most times their physical appearance is the same. That was the situation with the Apostle Paul. After his Damascus road experience, he became a totally different creature- on the inside. Paul’s physical appearance did not change, and the Bible even notes that people did not want to receive Paul into the church fold because they were still afraid of him. However, it was Paul’s actions and speech that proved he was truly transformed in Christ.

I remember my freshman year of college. I was not interested in going to church or being apart of ministry at all! I wanted to get a “true” college experience. I wanted to party, try different things, and hang out with the upperclassmen. Well, that did not last long. One night, as I was walking to a party near campus with a group of friends, another young freshman I’d met earlier in the semester approached me. He beckoned me to come hang out with him and a few friends to fellowship and have a small bible study. I was not interested and very hesitant, but he was persistent so I obliged. I broke away from my party group and went with him. Much to my surprise, after I got there and bible study started, this young man started praying and prophesying. Then he began prophesying over my life and telling me that God wanted to do so much more in my life but I was resisting His plan. That was a defining moment for me. It was my Damascus road. From that night in 2012 to today, I have been following hard after God and have not looked back. And He has done such incredible things in my life. However, the funny part of this story is that I became a small group leader the next year, and during one bible study session, a young woman came up to me and said, “how are you a bible study leader, didn’t I used to see you at the club?” When she said that, I was stunned! I didn’t even know how to respond, but she was right. She DID see me at the club the year before. But by my sophomore year, I was a totally different person, on the inside. I had no desire to go to the club, drink, smoke, or hang out with upperclassmen or athletes. I looked the same, but my inside man had been totally transformed. That old man had passed away. And several of my “party” friends had a difficult time accepting my change and broke off the friendship. However, I have still never regretted choosing Jesus. 

Back to the caterpillars, I learned that while they are yet in their larvae stage of life, their only job is to eat and rest. During that time, they are responsible for obtaining all the necessary nutrients required for the growth and metamorphosis that will eventually occur down the road of their lives. The same goes for us. If we want to actually be ready for the changes we say we want God to do in our lives, we have to be responsible for how we feed ourselves. If we are always taking in junk- too much television, hard core or explicit music, gossip, or any other thing that does not build us up, we cannot possibly expect to change or grow in God in at all. It will be impossible to hear His voice. And we definitely cannot expect to receive all the blessings He has in store for us because we are not even good stewards over what we already have. Once we receive salvation, the transformational work begins, but we have to remember that it is a daily grind. We have to continually feed on the Word of God and communicate with Him so He can help us along the way of this life. It is not easy, but it is absolutely freeing. Just as the crawling caterpillar becomes the graceful, floating butterfly, so it is with you and your walk. From crawling to flying, you will witness God transform your heart, mind, and spirit. Don’t be like me and resist His will for your life, let Him in and watch Him do the impossible. 

You can follow the author of this post Carmen Williams, on her personal Instagram, her professional page on Instagram @ThePrayingMillennial, or at www.ThePrayingMillennial.wordpress.com.