Transformed by the Spirit
Transformed by the Holy Spirit: The Journey to Becoming Like Christ
The journey of following Jesus is the most profound transformation one can experience. It doesn't end until our life ends, and it's a process that requires more than our own willpower—it requires the power of the Holy Spirit working within us.
What Does Spiritual Transformation Look Like?
Spiritual transformation happens through three distinct stages:
Justification - The conversion act of going from outside of Christ to being in Christ. As 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Sanctification - The ongoing process of becoming more like Jesus, driven by the Holy Spirit in you. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 explains that "where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom" and we "are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another."
Glorification - God's final removal of sin in our lives, allowing us to reach the status of holy and set apart, standing in God's presence as blameless. This is a future event where we will finally be like Christ.
Most of us are in the middle stage—sanctification—which cannot be accomplished without the work and power of the Holy Spirit.
Why Do We Struggle to Experience Transformation?
We often try to transform through our own strength, leaving the Holy Spirit out of the equation. We checklist spiritual disciplines like reading the Bible, praying, and attending church, but still come up short in becoming like Jesus.
The truth is, we cannot transform ourselves by our own power. Jesus promised in Acts 1:8, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you." This is the same Spirit that was present at creation, that healed people, performed miracles, and started the church at Pentecost.
Why Don't We Fully Cooperate with the Holy Spirit?
There are several reasons we resist the Holy Spirit's transformative work:
We don't think we need Him - We believe we can handle things on our own, but this is an illusion.
We don't want to change - Deep down, we want to follow Jesus our way without becoming like Him.
We don't know what cooperation looks like - We're unsure how to work with the Holy Spirit in our daily lives.
How Do We Cooperate with the Holy Spirit?
1. Develop a Daily Desire
Transformation begins with wanting to change. Your parents, friends, or spouse can't want it for you—you must want it for yourself. The good news is that anyone can have it; no one is too far gone.
The Bible is full of transformation stories:
The prodigal son who returned home
Moses who went from prince to deliverer
Zacchaeus who went from corrupt tax collector to generous giver
Mary Magdalene who went from demon-possessed to devoted follower
Paul who went from persecutor to apostle
2. Practice Daily Surrender
Colossians 3 instructs us to "set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."
This means:
Laying your will and desires at the altar
Allowing God's will to take precedence over yours
Renewing your mind to conform to God's principles rather than the world's
Romans 12:1-2 calls us to "present your bodies as a living sacrifice" and to "be transformed by the renewal of your mind."
Life Application
Start each day with this simple prayer: "Holy Spirit, help me to be open to change today." This humble approach acknowledges that we haven't arrived and that we need the Spirit's guidance.
When we approach each day with open hands instead of closed fists, the Holy Spirit can place things in our hands and reveal truths we might otherwise miss. He will transform us in ways we could never accomplish on our own.
The Holy Spirit isn't just about changing what we do—He's about changing who we are, which naturally leads to changes in how we live. Our inner transformation will produce outer transformation.
Questions to Ask Yourself:
In what areas of my life am I resisting the Holy Spirit's transformative work?
Am I trying to change through my own willpower rather than cooperating with the Spirit?
What would it look like for me to surrender my will to God's will today?
How can I cultivate a daily desire to be more like Jesus?
What specific changes might the Holy Spirit be prompting in my life right now?
Remember: When you surrender to Him and acknowledge your sins, God meets you with arms wide open. The Holy Spirit is the key and fuel for life transformation, but what you do with that gift is your decision.
