Glorious Transformation: Changed by the Spirit of God

Turn in your Bibles to 2 Corinthians 3

I love this time of year. Autumn has always been my favorite season.

Fall isn’t just a time for harvest. It’s also a time when trees transform from green into fiery shades of amber, auburn and crimson. This transformation is by God’s design. Back in Gen 1:14, God set the sun and moon in the heavens for the purpose of making day and night, days and years, signs and seasons.

Daniel said in 2:20-21, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons…”

He changes times and seasons. The transformation we see every 13 weeks as we go from season to season… it has purpose. Transformation is God’s design. And just like the fall foliage, you and I were designed… to be transformed.

The Bible has lots to say on this.

In his 2nd letter to the church at Corinth, Paul’s tone is more reassuring than in his first letter.

1 Corinthians was a rebuke to churchgoers in Corinth who mistreated each other in several ways. They failed in the principles of love.

Thankfully, Paul’s rebuke was heeded by them. By the time he wrote his 2nd letter, they had changed.

While his first letter encouraged them to unify with each other in godly love; Paul’s second letter invited them to unify with him in gospel ministry.

You see, Paul had detractors. Critics. Self-described spiritual “authorities” who claimed Paul wasn’t a true apostle due to his suffering. Painful and untrue.

Which brings us to Chapter 3. Let’s see what the Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Cor 3

1 Are we beginning to commend ourselves again? Or do we need, as some do, letters of recommendation to you, or from you? 2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Stop there: He says to Corinth: you yourself are a letter of recommendation showing my ministry is the real deal. Their hearts are a tablet on which the Spirit of God writes messages of love, hope and redemption to be read by all. Let’s continue:

4 Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God. 5 Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, 6 who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

7 Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end, 8 will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory?

9 For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. 10 Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. 11 For if what was being brought to an end came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory.

Let’s pause for a second: What tablet of stone is he contrasting them with? The Ten Commandments. The Law. The Old Covenant.

He said that the old covenant had its season and its purpose. Paul called the old covenant, “the ministry of death” in v.7. The Law was carved in stone, not in hearts. It came with its own glory, but a glory that Israel couldn’t gaze upon. It says in v. 7 and in v. 11 that the season of Moses and the Law was being brought to an end.

Let me ask you something. Why do the leaves in Autumn change color? What comes next? First they change color. Then they fall. Then comes winter. In agricultural societies, winter is a form of death.

And then what comes after winter? Spring. Resurrection. Transformation again. Amen? So this ministry of death, as Paul described it, was necessary to show us our shortcomings: our need for redemption, restoration, and transformation. Without death, without Fall and Winter, there’s no Spring. No transformation. No rebirth. No resurrection.

Strictly as an aside: Galatians 3:21-27 (ESV)

21 Is the law then contrary to the promises of God? Certainly not! For if a law had been given that could give life, then righteousness would indeed be by the law. 22 But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.

23 Now before faith came, we were held captive under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith would be revealed. 24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

So the law, the old covenant, was designed to condemn us all; And to reveal our need for Jesus.

Let’s continue in 2 Cor 3.

12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, 13 not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end. 14 But their minds were hardened. For to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away. 15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their hearts. 16 But when one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed.

Here is the contrast again, between seasons. Old covenant and new. The old is being brought to an end. It is being taken away. The veil has been lifted and removed. Rigid compliance with words in stone, by itself, leads to death. This old season is being replaced by a new one. With the new covenant introduced, a transformation is necessary.

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.

Under the new covenant, with an unveiled face, we can behold the glory of the Lord. This is not about bondage to a law, but freedom that comes with God’s Spirit. And since we are able to gaze upon Him, we are being transformed into his image. He is able to change us from whatever we were …to whatever he has intended us to become. From one glory to another. And where does this transformation come from? It comes from the Lord. Being near to Him, being present with Him, it changes us, doesn’t it? His presence transforms.

In the Greek, that word for transform is μεταμορφόω metamorphoō

Transfigure, transform, change into another form

This same Greek word is used to describe Jesus when he was with Peter, James and John on the mountain of transfiguration.

Luke 9:29 …as he was praying, the appearance of his face was altered, and his clothing became dazzling white.

Matthew 17:2 …he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light.

Mark 9:2-3 …he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them.

And in each account, God the Father spoke audibly. It says,

…a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to him.”

Which brings me to my first point.

Transformation by the Spirit reflects God’s glory.

The transformation in our lives is evidence of God’s presence, His power to change us, and His good favor upon us. When we gaze upon His glory, a metamorphosis takes place. We radiate. Our countenance changes. And others can see the change in us. It is remarkable and unmistakable.

The Greek is actually a composition of two words. Meta and morphoō. Meta means accompanied, amid, among, with. It indicates proximity. Morphoō (or morph) means form, fashion, shape, and the nature or external appearance of something.

This same word was used to describe Jesus “form” of the resurrected Jesus, when he appeared in His glorified body. He had changed to a point that some of the disciples actually needed a few moments just to recognize Him.

Just like Jesus changed in His resurrection, the Spirit of God wants to change us. He doesn’t just want to change our conduct. He wants to change the essence of who we are, to reflect the glory of who He is.

This brings me to my second point.

Discussion

“It comes from the Lord.” What does that rule out as the engine of your own change?
Meta plus morphoō. Proximity plus form. What in your week actually puts you near Him?
“Others can see the change in us.” Who saw it in you, and what did they see?

Transformation in Christ makes us new and different.

Galatians 6:14-15

14 …far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.

A new creation. Turn a few chapters forward to Ch 5.

2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (ESV)

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

There it is again, a new creation. God wants to make us new. But this renewal is just the beginning. It isn’t the end.

Which brings me to my final point.

Discussion

New creation, not improved creation. What is the difference in practice?
Paul boasts only in the cross. What are you tempted to boast in instead?
Ambassadors, entrusted with the message of reconciliation. Who is that message for, in your life, this month?

Transformation is a patient, gradual process. Perfection we’ll attain later.

Philippians 3:12-21 | Straining Toward the Goal

12 Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. 13 Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. 16 Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

17 Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 18 For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

As Paul said. We aren’t already perfect. But we press on. We forget the past. We press forward to the prize ahead. We await our Savior, who will transform our body to be like His. For now, we groan a little with aches, pains, and aging bodies.

Let’s turn to Romans 8:22-30

22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.

26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

He has predestined every believer to be conformed to the image of Jesus. For now, we have the firstfruits (v 23). The Spirit is a downpayment in our hearts. We wait for the resurrection, when the transformation is physical. …and our resurrected bodies will be like His.

Paul explained this in his previous letter to Corinth. 1 Cor 15:50-53

I tell you this, brothers: flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. 51 Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 53 For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.

This will be our physical metamorphosis. The dead will rise imperishable. Think of that! The living will be transformed bodily into imperishable form also. Our mortal bodies will put on immortality.

Philippians 1:6 And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

He began this transformation work in us. But he’s not finished with us yet.

For now, for now… our transformation is spiritual and gradual.

Discussion

Paul says he has not obtained it and is not already perfect. Why does he say that out loud to a church?
Firstfruits. A downpayment. What does it change to know the transformation is started but not finished?
“For now, we groan a little.” Where are you groaning, and what are you waiting for?

Something to Sit With

In summary:

Transformation by the Spirit reflects God’s glory.
Transformation in Christ makes us new and different.
Transformation is a patient, gradual process. Perfection we’ll attain later.

So how do we begin our transformation? Where do we start? How can we receive the Spirit as a downpayment to begin this metamorphosis?

Paul gave us the answer in Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

As Jesus said to Nicodemus in John 3:16… You must be born again.

The Bible says we are justified by our faith in Jesus. Place your faith in Him and in His resurrection.

Give yourself to Him. Entrust yourself to His care. Follow Him. Abide in Him. Commit to that, and (I promise) He will do the rest.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does metamorphoo mean in the Bible?

Metamorphoo is a Greek word meaning “to transfigure” or “to change into another form.” It is used in 2 Corinthians 3:18 to describe how believers are transformed into the image of Christ, and in the Gospels to describe Jesus’ transfiguration on the mountain.

What is the difference between the old covenant and the new covenant in 2 Corinthians 3?

Paul calls the old covenant “the ministry of death,” carved in stone, that came with a glory Israel could not gaze upon. The new covenant, written on hearts by the Spirit, brings freedom and a surpassing glory. Under the new covenant, the veil is removed and believers can behold God’s glory directly.

What does “new creation” mean in 2 Corinthians 5:17?

It means that anyone who is in Christ is not simply improved, but fundamentally made new. The old has passed away. The new has come.

This is not self-improvement. It is divine creation, the same kind of work God did when he created the heavens and the earth.

When will the physical transformation happen?

Paul describes it in 1 Corinthians 15:51-53. At the last trumpet, the dead will be raised imperishable and the living will be changed. Mortal bodies will put on immortality. This physical metamorphosis is the completion of the spiritual transformation that begins now.