Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
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. 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.

Dear Fellowship of the Burning Heart:

The word “transformed” is the translation of a Greek word from which we get the word metamorphosis. In other words, we are talking about a caterpillar to butterfly kind of change. We think of change in terms of slight modifications, incremental improvements, small gains, but this kind of change is monumental. It is the kind of change that took place on the Mount of Transfiguration where Jesus’ physical appearance was transformed into a supernatural one, where his radiance was breathtaking and left an indelible mark on the hearts of the disciples who observed it. The word “metamorphosis” is used to describe the change that took place there.

Most of us set goals, particularly at the beginning of a new year, fairly low. We have learned, after many failures, that extremely high goals are usually unattainable. If we just want to be seen as a goal setter, but have no serious intention of keeping them or even trying to keep them, we set impossible ones. Once goals have been set, we look for small gains and slight improvements and reward progress accordingly. If we exceed our goal we celebrate profusely. In our spiritual lives we must take a totally different approach. Of course, if we are responsible for the changes, then we must set them low. But here the change is not dependent on us and our abilities or capabilities.

To “be transformed” implies that we are not responsible for making the changes; we are only responsible for allowing them to be made. Just as we do not allow ourselves to “be conformed” by resisting the efforts of the conforming agents, so we must allow the transformer to do the work of transformation in us. The crucial area of transformation must take place in our thinking.

It should seem obvious that this must be so. Our attitudes, motives, and behavior flow from our thinking. When the mind is renewed and begins to think the thoughts of God, our attitudes, motives and behavior start to mirror the changes in thinking that God has made in the transformation. The degree to which we allow God to thoroughly and consistently change our thinking is the degree to which we will be transformed into the vibrant disciples the Lord intends us to be.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV) 
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.