"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." Romans 12:2 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." 2 Corinthians 3:18 ESV
"And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was TRANSFIGURED before them, and his clothes became radiant, intensely white, as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus." Mark 9:2-4 ESV
All of theses are this same Greek word Metamorphoo (Strong's G3339). This is not a cosmetic change. This type of change has been compared to the change a butterfly goes through in it's life cycle. The change from an Earth bound creature into a beautifully colorful one that flits through the air lightly on wings. I like that imagery very much.
This morning I was thinking differently about this. Jesus' change is our change. His transfiguration was a revealing of what already was and will forever be. But, Unlike the butterfly He returned to an 'Earth bound form' to go back down the mountain. Those two disciples could never erase the image of His brightness and Heavenly fellowship from their minds. Peter speaks later about it in first and second Peter.
"So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed" 1 Peter 5:1 ESV
"I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder, since I know that the putting off of my body will be soon, as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me. ... For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, "This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased," we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts," 2 Peter 1:13-14, 16-19 ESV
This transformation lists these words in this order in 1 Peter 5:1
Revealed (apokalyptÅ - G601) | Glory (Doxa - G1391) | Partaker (Koinonos - G2844)
Transformation at it's heart has these three aspects. There is fellowship in it. Jesus was not changed alone. As He brightened Elijah and Moses appeared. There was glory in it and there was a revealing not only of what would be but of what already was. Finished work reality was revealed in time. It was unveiled.
Now back to the first statement. 'Grace Transforms'
Yes it does.
Grace reveals that the partaker has a glory that belongs to God. As the partaker partakes glory is revealed. One day the glory that is will literally change our bodies to match what we have but we have it now as partakers of grace.
The butterfly transforms alone. We don't. Truth revealed is a conversation with two or more participants. Transformation is not just whiteness and brightness... it is fellowship. God may cut His stones in private but the glory comes when He places them in His temple.
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