Spiritual Transformation

Trevor S Ferguson

August 12, 2013

Today we reflect on the topic Spiritual Transformation, as I seek to show how God through His grace can transform our lives from a state of spiritual deadness, to new life in Jesus Christ. Our text for refection is from the second chapter of the book of Ephesians, focusing on verses 1-10. Let us begin, however, by looking back at God’s creative work in the book of Genesis.

The bible tells us that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. We further understand that in His creative works, God made everything out of nothing. Hebrews 11:3 tells us that: “the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear”. God’s creation was marvelous! We can’t help but stand in awe when we look at the brightness of the sun, compared to the blackness of the night; we marvel at the depth and power of the seas and the beautiful wonders and expanse of the skies. Despite this magnificence, few, if any, persons would dispute that the most magnificent of God’s creation was the creation of man. The Bible told us that God made man in His own image, breathed into him the breath of life and gave him dominion over all the earth. Thus man was the crowning glory of creation! In verse 31 of Genesis 1, the bible tells us that God looked upon his creation and concluded that it was very good.

Shortly after creation however, man found himself in big trouble. Despite being told by God that he should not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, man disobeyed and ended up in a state of spiritual death. God had warned that in the day that they ate of that fruit they should surely die. This state of spiritual death (i.e. separation of the soul from God) has plagued humanity from then until now. The good news however is that through the life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God has made a way for spiritual transformation where man can move from spiritual death to a new life in Christ and candidates for eternal life.

Paul therefore in his letter to the Ephesians chose to speak on this issue so as to show the marvelous wonder of God’s grace in bringing about this spiritual transformation and so restore man from his state of sin and death and back to a state of life, hope and dominion!

Paul writes: “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”

Outside of Christ man is spiritually dead. Yes! You may be walking around, you may have riches, you may have power, but without Christ in you, you are spiritually dead. On the spiritual level you are worth nothing! A big fat zero! Dead!

Verse 4 tells us that “God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ”. Therefore through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we now have access to eternal life. The word ‘quicken’ means to make alive or to re-animate. Note that we are quickened together with Christ. In a similar way to Jesus’ death and resurrection, we who were spiritually dead, have been buried with Christ in baptism, like as Christ rose again from the dead, we now rise, through the power of the Holy Ghost, to walk in newness of life.

The beauty of this salvation is that not only are we given new life but we are placed on new pedestals. Verse 6 tells us that we have been raised up and made to sit in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.

One may ask: How can I attain unto this lofty state? What can I do to accomplish this salvation?

Verse 8 tells us however that salvation is by grace alone (sola gratia): For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. We can do nothing to deserve this salvation; but God has made salvation possible by grace, i.e. his unmerited favour. Not only has he pardoned and forgiven our sins but he has also added to us the riches of his glory and the hope of eternal life. No wonder the song writers have described this grace as amazing! John Newton’s classic hymn captures it best:

“Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me, I once was lost but now am found, was blind, but now I see.”

This grace is available to all humanity. Titus 2:11 tells us that the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared unto all men. Therefore, whosoever will call on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ; whosoever will accept his offer of salvation, whosoever will put on His name in water baptism and will seek for and receive the Holy Ghost, will be saved.

Note also that this grace is applied through faith. Hebrews 11:6 tells us that “without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Faith is therefore an absolute requirement for salvation. It is the means by which we accept God’s grace. Faith requires a firm persuasion or conviction, with absolute trust and confidence in God that propels us to act in accordance with what we believe. It is folly to say that we have faith in God and fail to act in accordance with His words. If we believe that Jesus Christ lived; if we believe that he was crucified; if we believe that he was buried and that he rose again on the third day, then we ought to act in obedience to his word. I challenge someone today who may be professing faith in Christ, but who has not been acting in accordance with the word of God to make a change today. God can transform your life. He can change you from a state of deadness to a state of new life in Him. Your life can take on new meaning, new hope, and new purpose. The emptiness and frustration that you feel today can be replaced by joy, peace and contentment.

This new life that God offers will create in you a work of art - a masterpiece. You can be transformed from a wretch to a saint; from a mess to a message; He will take you out of the mire and set your soul on fire; he will pull you from the pit and place you in heavenly places to sit. All this is God’s work of art. Look at what verse 10 says:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them”

The word translated workmanship comes from the Greek “poiema” which speaks to a work or art or masterpiece. This brings us back to Genesis 1:31, when God looked at his creation and said it was very good. God’s work of grace brings marvelous results; we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Although we do not work for our salvation, salvation will produce good works in us.

A look at 1st Peter 2 will help to further illuminate this point – Peter says: “You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”. (vs. 5)

He goes on to say: “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;” (vs. 9)

This grace of God has the power to transform miraculously. God can take anybody and transform them into a masterpiece by his grace. It does not even matter how deep in sin you might have descended. The bible says where sin abounded grace did much more abound.

Today, God is calling someone to spiritual transformation. Yes! You are now dead, in trespasses and sins, but you can be made alive by faith in Jesus Christ. God is calling on you today to recognize your sin and destitution. Don’t be fooled by apparent earthly success. All things in this life are temporary. Even though you are walking, talking and breathing; in God’s eyes you are dead. God extends to you His arm of salvation, through which you can receive new life. He offers you peace, joy and the hope of eternal life and will make your life into a master piece.

Accept him today, though repentance, water baptism and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Your life will never be the same! God bless you. In Jesus Name!