Transformation

The cross on which Christ was crucified forms the ‘T’ of our own transformation. Without Christ, lasting life-change is impossible. Yet the Bible promises, “If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God...” (2 Corinthians 5:17-18). Just as the Creator-God turns unimpressive acorns into sturdy oaks, so the Savior-God changes hard-shelled, sinful humans into growing and productive people who are filled with His Life.

“I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” - John 5:24

Take the Transformation challenge:

Have you ever earnestly asked God for the Life that He provides? Consider responding today to the promise of Scripture: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). See also Romans 10:9-10.
Martin Luther writes: “You cannot make the new man; he must grow or be born. Just so a carpenter cannot build a tree; it must grow of itself, out of the ground... But how does this new birth take place? After this manner: God lets the Word, the Gospel, go forth and lets the seed fall into the hearts of men. Now, wherever it fastens on the heart, the Holy Spirit is present and makes a new man. Then the man becomes an entirely different being, a man of other thoughts, of other words and works” (Anthology, 1027). What is the difference between a person who is religious and one who is transformed?
Once you place your faith in Christ and are baptized, it is essential that you find a Community of others who are walking (and occasionally stumbling) in the way of Jesus. Describe how the encouragement of other Christians might increase the probability of experiencing lasting change.