Transformation

I'm not a believer in instant conversion. I'm skeptical of those that hear an emotional sermon and then say they were saved. I think conversion is a process. We are continually being transformed. Continually being "made perfect" - the Bible's word for perfect here is the same as "maturing." In Romans 12:2 it tells us to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind." 2 Corinthians 3:18 says "we are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory." I didn't become a Christian overnight. I made a commitment at one point but I've had to renew that commitment and remind myself of my commitment many times. It's kind of like the stages of learning.

Stage 1: Unconscious and Incompetent (you don't know that you don't know)
Stage 2: Conscious and Incompetent (you recognize that you don't know)
Stage 3: Conscious and Competent (you are knowingly doing the right thing)
Stage 4: Unconscious and Competent (you are doing the right thing and don't even realize it)

Before we're "saved" we are at stage 1. At some point we move to stage 2 and realize we are messed up and need to change so we accept Christ and make that commitment. Then in stage 3 we start to do the right things intentionally. We still mess up here and have to catch ourselves but we're trying to do right. The closer we come to being "made perfect" the more we spend in stage 4 where we do the right things without even thinking about it. They are who we are. It's part of us - our character.

Christianity is not something mystical that only happens to special, chosen people. It's a way of life. It's the way we treat others and put others before ourselves. It's seeing other's needs more important than ours. It's caring more about people than possessions. It's about forgiveness. Understanding I'm not perfect either, why should I expect you to be? Your mistakes don't have to negatively effect the way I live. My mistakes don't have to negatively effect the rest of my life. It's about integrity, honesty, character. It's about having the hope of something better than we have now. The hope of maturing - of being made perfect.

See the follow-up to this post titled Transformation revisited.