The objective of this lesson: to focus on the meaning of transformation in a Christian's life.

Most of us are benefited in powerful ways by illustrations. Two New Testament examples show us the meaning of transformation in ways we can see and understand. Carefully read the two texts for this lesson.

The two texts illustrate the practical meaning of Christian transformation. They illustrate it is a cooperative effort involving God's action through Christ and our responsible commitment in Christ.

First, consider Ephesians 4:17-32. Previously, Paul emphasized (a) Jesus Christ's significance [chapter one], (b) what Jesus Christ did for them [chapter two], (c) what Jesus Christ did for Paul [chapter three], and (d) the Christian community's objectives [4:1-16]. Their understanding involved the responsibility to behave as transformed people. Focus on the structure of 4:17-32.

1. Do not live like the people you were. The ignorance of those who do not know the Father of Jesus Christ results in a lifestyle of physical indulgence.
2. That is not what you learned about existence in Christ.
3. You learned and understood that the core of existence in Christ demanded a new existence requiring you to abandon the old Christless lifestyle to live a new lifestyle that looked to God's righteousness and holiness.
4. The result:
   1. You will be truthful.
   2. You will reject anger.
   3. You will stop stealing and help others.
   4. You will carefully watch what you say; your words will encourage, not destroy.
   5. You will not oppose God's presence or work in your life.
5. You will not be controlled by destructive emotions but be trained by God in Christ to have godly emotions expressing themselves in your treatment of others.

Note there is a structure: (1) this is what you were; (2) this is not what you learned in Christ; (3) this is how you should act. Call attention to what they were before coming to Christ and what they should be after coming to Christ. Also note they were not what they should be. Emphasize how relationship-centered what they were to be was. Christians treat people, especially Christians, differently.

Notice these things. First, there is a marked contrast in what they were in pre-Christian existence and what they were to be in Christian existence. Second, the power that made that transition possible was Jesus Christ. Third, what occurred in them was to be transformation. Fourth, their full transformation had not occurred. Fifth, prior to conversion they were untrustworthy people who lied, were angry, stole, used a destructive vocabulary, opposed God's influence in their lives, and were controlled by destructive emotions. Sixth, the transformed person was to be trustworthy, truthful, an enemy of personal anger, helpful to others, encouraging, not opposing God in their lives, and controlled by godly interactions and emotions.

Discuss the six things listed. Emphasize two things: (a) it was (and always will continue to be) a progressive process; (b) the character and integrity of the person in Christ changes.

All this occurred in converted people because they found the strength in Christ to be a transformed people. It was more than membership. It was being.

The power that enabled the person to change was Jesus Christ. The change was more than our concept of membership. The person changed. It was not a "joining" or an "affiliating" but a "becoming." The person was part of a community who placed their trust in Jesus Christ because the person was committed to being a changed person in Christ.

Another lesson: Paul called them "saints who are in Ephesus, who are faithful in Christ Jesus" (1:1). Yet, "they had a long way to go" to be God's transformed people. Transformation is a growth/development process resting on (a) the grace and mercy found in Christ and (b) the willingness of the converted person to be responsible in living as a transformed person.

The process of change was a continuing process. Though it was not continuing as it should among the Christians at Ephesus, it was not an "in-out" relationship with God through Christ. Their change involved (a) knowing what they should become and (b) assuming responsibility for changing. God does not easily abandon us or quickly desert us because we fail or disappoint Him. We do not need to fear that God will quickly withdraw His presence from us. Our responsibility is to (a) maintain faith in Christ and (b) learn what we should become.

Second, there is a lot of similarity to be found in Paul's letter to the Colossians. The preface to the section you are asked to consider (Colossians 3:5-11), emphasized understanding their participation with Jesus Christ in his resurrection, renewed thinking, and Christ "who is our life." Understanding these things resulted in (a) considering a lifestyle based on physical indulgence as dead, (b) a change in behavior, and (c) understanding transformation removes physical distinctions. Verses 12-17 described the changes that would occur in people at Colossae who changed lifestyles because they knew and entered Christ.

Call attention to the similarity of the need to transform in Colossae. The person wishes to leave behind a lifestyle that separated from God. The person wants to be a changed person in Christ. The person does not convert "kicking and screaming" because he (or she) is in a situation of "no choice--you have to do this!" It is a conversion based on faith in Christ, not a coercion based on other reasons.

Again, the letter is addressed to "the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae" (1:2). Obviously, these Christians had much to learn and understand about being transformed. Human criteria did not measure the process of transformation. God through Jesus Christ measured the process of transformation. God knew whether there was effort and understanding. Other Christians may not.

We, as a Christian community and as individuals, need to exercise great care not to discourage the struggling. We need to understand that because someone does not meet our expectations or criteria does not mean he (or she) does not meet God's. It is a complicated, difficult matter to encourage rather than judge. While we oppose willful ungodliness as a deliberate expression of a lack of faith in Christ, we encourage the struggling. Knowing the difference between rebellion and struggle is not a simple matter sometimes.

Notice the emphasis on transformation in the Colossae context: continuance in physical self indulgence invited God's angry reaction; they would not be controlled by destructive emotions and destructive speech; they would not lie. Instead, transformed people had a changed knowledge formed by their spiritual creator. This changed way of looking at God resulted in a different way of seeing all people.

Stress two realities: (a) transformation changes the way a person looks at God; (b) transformation changes the way a person looks at people.

A list of changed behaviors among Christians at Colossae occurred in Colossians 3:12-17.

1. They will develop hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
2. They will endure each other in a spirit of forgiveness using the Lord's forgiveness as a pattern.
3. They will live by love which is the foundation of unity.
4. They will be ruled by Christ's peace internally.
5. They will value the one body of Christ.
6. They will be grateful.
7. They will allow Christ's word to dwell in them richly as they gratefully teach and admonish each other.
8. Christ will direct every aspect of their lives as they gave thanks to God through him.

Stress that transformation changed the way they related to and treated people.

Again, note: (a) The nature of these qualities requires a growth process. (b) They will change human relationships profoundly. (c) Christ is the source of change. (d) They acknowledge responsibility to Christ's body. (e) They are grateful to God for the change.

Please emphasize that transformation is a time-dependent, continuing process. It is NOT an automatic event that happens suddenly without the involvement and cooperation of the person. However, it occurs because the person wants it to occur--the person does not resist changing.

Transformation was presented as beneficial. It changed human relationships. The Christian was grateful to God through Christ for its occurrence.

Stress it is presented as a beneficial process, not a negative process to be endured even if we are unwilling. Perhaps we need to give more thought to our concept of conversion.

For Thought and Discussion

1. What four things were you asked to note in the background of Ephesians 4:17-32?
   1. Jesus Christ's significance.
   2. What Jesus Christ did for them.
   3. What Jesus Christ did for Paul.
   4. The Christian community's objectives.

2. Discuss the structure of Ephesians 4:17-32.

   In the discussion, be sure to note that transformation will affect the way they treated each other and other people.

3. What six things were you asked to notice?
   1. There was a significant contrast in the way they acted prior to conversion and after conversion.
   2. The power that made the transition possible was Jesus Christ.
   3. What occurred in them was to be transformation (it was to be a permanent condition, not a temporary situation).
   4. Their full transformation had not occurred.
   5. Prior to transformation, they were untrustworthy people.
   6. The transformed person would be trustworthy.

   In their life context, there was a significant difference between the person in Christ and the person regulated by society.

4. What other lesson is found in both Ephesians and Colossians?

   Paul called them God's holy ones, yet they had a long way to go in becoming transformed people.

5. Understanding the preface's emphasis resulted in what three understandings in Colossians?
   1. They considered a lifestyle based on physical indulgence to be dead.
   2. Christian behavior was changed behavior.
   3. Transformation removed physical distinctions.

6. What would transformation "look like" among Christians at Colossae?
   1. They would control destructive emotions.
   2. They would use God's values as a pattern.

   Note the 8 qualities listed.

7. What five qualities of transformation are noted in Colossians?
   1. It was a growth process.
   2. It would change human relationships profoundly.
   3. Jesus Christ was the source of the change.
   4. They accepted responsibility to be Christ's body.
   5. They were grateful to God for the change.

8. How did Paul present transformation?

   Paul presented it as a beneficial change.

Link to Student Guide Lesson 4

Copyright © 2008
David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ

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