Being Transformed

    It was less than three months since I had seen Andrew. How could there be such a drastic change in him? School was out of session. Then came the reopening of school sometime in August two or three years ago. I stood beside Andrew who was seated at his desk in the classroom to inquire about his summer holiday. When he opened his mouth, the deep adult voice that took the place of the soft quiet voice displaced me from my standing position. Evidently, I was not prepared for the transition in Andrew’s voice anymore than he was prepared for the rising testosterone levels that triggered the growth of his larynx, leading to the change of voice. The change took place in silence. 

     When it comes to character, its transformation “is silent and imperceptible, but continuous” (Ellen White, God’s Amazing Grace, p. 283), just as the seed that produces a plant that yields fruit. God is constantly placing us in circumstances in response to our prayers so that we can develop the fruit of the Spirit like love, joy, peace, faith and self-control (Galatians 5:22, 23). The fruit that we bear is inevitably a result of our obedience in carrying out His will for our lives. This is a lifelong process, and we are active participants (Ellen White, Lessons for Living, p. 24, 25).

     It is imperative that parents begin the work of character building in their children during infancy — the first six years of life —- that they might build a solid foundation. All of us acquire habits, and typically the ones we develop in the formative years seldom change. How important is it then to teach children correct health and moral principles that they 

will be physically, mentally and spiritually strong. How necessary it is to teach them how to avoid yielding to temptation. Wouldn't this knowledge have a positive influence on their character, and help them to avoid unnecessary consequences of evil?

     For those of us who are adults, we have much to do in overcoming bad character traits we have developed. From a biblical perspective we must “put off, concerning your form of conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and , , , put on the new man which was created according to God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:22-24). Negative hereditary and cultivated tendencies require much attention to overcome. As we give God permission, He “works in you both to will and to do his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

    Lest we become faint in our effort, deeming our characters beyond transformation, reflect on Christ's battle in Gethsemane to deny Himself, not following His will, but the will of the Father.  His decision in Gethsemane led him to the cross to become the sacrifice for our sins. By beholding Christ today and everyday, positive changes are inevitable. May we endeavor to be transformed into “a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4.:13).

     For practical purposes, consider a hereditary or cultivated tendency to evil you once had that you committed to God. How did He give you victory over that evil habit or propensity? How has your life been transformed as a result of the goodness of God towards you? Thank the Lord for being gracious to you and trust him to repeat the process again and again in your life. It’s all about being transformed.