8 Keys To Spiritual Transformation

August 2007

8 Keys to Spiritual Transformation

I was told lists are in. So here is a list of 8 keys to spiritual transformation.

1. Spiritual transformation is an inside job.
2. Spiritual transformation takes deliberate effort.
3. Spiritual transformation is telic (has an end or goal).
4. The telos (end, goal) of the spiritual transformation process is nothing less than conformity to the image of Jesus Christ.
5. There is only one speed on the vehicle called transformation - slow.
6. Spiritual transformation is the “business” of the church.
7. Spiritual transformation (discipleship) is not a luxury for the spiritually elite.
8. Spiritual Transformation is plural.

These “keys” to spiritual transformation work together. They are all part of the whole: A transformed life in the likeness of Jesus Christ (imitation). Imitation, if it is to last, is supported by inward or character change. If the character is unchanged the behavior is short-lived. 

Anyway we cut it church leaders are in the business of participating in life (character) transformation; theirs and those in their spiritual care. Our heart, mind, soul, body and social relationships must be conformed to the image of Christ. It is with these aspects of our selves that we are to love God and others as ourselves (Mark 12:28 – 34).

Key #1: Spiritual transformation is an inside job.

Paul’s challenge is to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). I like Peterson’s rendition “Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.”

The renewed mind Paul has in mind is the mind of Christ. This means that the aim of every follower of Christ is to become the kind of person who is habitually Christ-like. It is easy enough to fake this (need any tips?). It is easy enough to do what Christ did one time and congratulate myself for it. But what about the next time I face the same thing, and the next time after that? Living a Christ-imitative life happens only when the transformation is taking place on the inside (Heart, mind, soul, and strength in the inner man).

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking… Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you” (Romans 12:1-2, The Message). Spiritual transformation happens when we pay attention to God inwardly, and intentionally reject everything in the culture around us which drags toward ungodliness.

Think of this as the posture that Mary adopted (sitting at Jesus’ feet) when Jesus came to visit her with Lazarus and Martha (who was also serving Christ). Another way of speaking of paying attention to God is in terms of contemplation. This practice in which we all remain novices is of major importance to bring about inward change. I don’t pretend to know how the Holy Spirit transforms us. However, I know he does when we pay attention to God. In my book, contemplation leads to imitation. It’s axiomatic.
I love this story by Nathanael Hawthorne. It is an apt illustration of this axiom.

In the Great Stone Face a prophecy is told about a visitor who one day will come and all villagers will be able to recognize the resemblance to the Great Stone Face that time had etched in the cliff near the village. Ernest believed the prophecy and all his life contemplates the face so he may recognize the visitor to come. With time, Ernie saw that the face seemed kind, caring, gentle, and loving. One day a poet visits and is shown hospitality by Ernest. Having come to know Ernest, and having seen the resemblance between Ernest and the Great Stone Face, the poet interprets the prophecy to the village. Ernest who has contemplated the image in the rock resembles most the object of his contemplation.

Hawthorne writes:
At that moment, in sympathy with a thought which he was about to utter, the face of Ernest assumed a grandeur of expression, imbued with benevolence, that the poet, by an irresistible impulse, threw his arms aloft, and shouted, “Behold! Behold! Ernest is himself the likeness of the Great Stone Face!” Then all the people looked, and saw that what the deep-sighted poet said was true. The prophecy was fulfilled. But Ernest, having finished what he had to say, took the poet’s arm and walked slowly homeward, still hoping that some wiser and better man than himself would by and by appear, bearing a resemblance to the GREAT STONE FACE.

Maranatha!

Meanwhile, let us contemplate so we may imitate as we walk with the Master.

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