PROOF: Not Just Good…Transformed

A fat, fuzzy caterpillar attaches himself to a solid surface and suspends his body between heaven and earth. A short while later the dangling caterpillar splits open, and a shiny green chrysalis appears. Finally, a new creature emerges from the chrysalis, a butterfly no longer bound to inching its way from place to place, but now able to soar. [image error]

I can think of no better analogy for what happens to us when we give our lives to Christ.

In the PROOF blog series, written in my research for the upcoming Miller’s Creek Novel, Crossroads, I’ve attempted to lay out proof for fellow Christians to use in reaching those who have arguments against God and the Christian faith. These posts include evidence that there is indeed a God who desires a personal relationship with each of us, the Bible is true and accurate, Jesus is who He claimed to be, that heaven, hell, and a force of evil truly exist, and that in the end, it all comes down to faith.

One of the most common arguments for non-believers is this: “I’m a good person. In fact, I’m a better person than most of the people that call themselves a Christian.”

While the statement holds some merit and truth, the argument doesn’t hold even a drop of water.

Why?

Because God doesn’t want good people. He wants transformed people.

You see, the very best human effort to be righteous or good doesn’t even come close to hitting God’s standard. In fact, God considers human attempts at righteousness “filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6), a term in the original language that goes beyond mere dirt to the disgusting.

None of us are righteous (Romans 3:10). We’re all like sheep with the very pronounced tendency to stray (Isaiah 53:6).  All of us are sinners, all falling short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). In our fallen and unrighteous state, there is absolutely nothing we can do to bridge the gap between us and Holy God.

But it’s okay. Really it is.

You see, what we’re incapable of doing on our own, God–through Jesus and because of His great love–has done for us. He bridged the gap, not just so we can be good people, but transformed.

Still don’t buy it? These verses will help (emphasis mine).

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. -2 Corinthians 5:17 (NASB)

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 (NASB)

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

 -2 Corinthians 2:18 (NASB)

For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren -Romans 8:29 (NASB)

He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. -2 Corinthians 5:21 (NASB)

Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. -Romans 6:3-4 (ESV)

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” -Isaiah 43:18-19 (ESV)

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. -Colossians 3:9-10 (ESV)

And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. -Ezekiel 11:19-20 (ESV)

“For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. -Isaiah 65:17 (ESV)

He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, -Titus 3:5 (ESV)

For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. -Galatians 6:15 (ESV)

But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. -2 Peter 3:13 (ESV)

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” -John 3:3 (NASB)

To put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. -Ephesians 4:22-24 (NASB)

And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” -Revelation 21:5 (NASB)

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