Transformed by God

God has given us doctrines to help us to be transformed. When God issues a command to us it is the most powerful promise possible. If he can command the worlds into existance you can be sure there is ample power in His Command.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2

We often refer to this transformation as conversion. The gift of salvation happens instantly (and is often called justification a theological term that simply means that Jesus gives us such forgiveness that it is "just as if we had no sin" (justification)) Then there is the rest of conversion, in which God changes us day by day because he wants us to let His Light shine more and more brightly through us (this is often referred as sanctification = a theological term for being set apart for holy service)

So the more we study God's Word, the more we are likely to learn and change. We may find some things that we have always thought were true are not at all what the scripture teaches. We will wnat ot search the scriptures well to be sure we follow Him.

As you study today there are several references to "the law" this is in reference to God's ten commandment law. These ten commands are a transcript of God's character and therefore they are also kind of like a mirror when we look at them and see were we fall short.

May God bless you, once again, as His Holy Spirit guides you through this study.

What is necessary to salvation?
"And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3.

Dictionary definition of "conversion?"
"A turning or change from one state to another." Webster.

What two steps are necessary to make this change?
"And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:20,21.

Of what is it necessary to repent?
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Acts 3:19.

What is sin?
"Whosoever committeth sin, transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law." 1 John 3:4.

What law does one transgress when he sins?
"But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law." James 2:9-11.

What part does the law act in repentance?
"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." Romans 3:20.

When Paul was converted, what first brought conviction to him?
"What shall we say then? is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet." Romans 7:7.

What more than conviction is necessary to true repentance?
"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." 2 Corinthians 7:10.

What does repentance involve?
"Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin. Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?" Ezekiel 18:30,31.

What does repentance further require?
"Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon." Isaiah
55:6,7.

How will genuine repentance be shown?
"Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." Matthew 3:8.

What besides repentance is required in conversion?
"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:21.

Who is Christ, that one should believe in Him?
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16.

What has Christ done for us that we should be saved through Him?
"For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:3

In order for one to be cleansed from sin, what is required of Him?
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:7-9.

What should be one's relation to sin after repentance?
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Romans 6:1,2.

How does one become dead to sin?
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Romans 6:6.

What is done with the "old man" after he dies?
"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death; that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." Romans 6:4.

When truly converted, what does everyone receive?
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:38.

Can anyone be a Christian without having the Spirit of Christ?
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." Romans 8:9.

What precious relation is sustained when one has the Holy Spirit?
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14.

Can it be known when this relation exists?
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16.

When one thus stands complete in Christ, what is he?
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Of what character are the "old things" which are to be put off?
"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds." Colossians 3:9.

What will the new man acquire?
"Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." Colossians
3:12-14.

Where will the affections then be found?
"If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." Colossians 3:1,2.

Having done all this, what will be the final result?
"For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:3,4.

May the transforming power of God be in us that and may we be His servants to spread His love abroad to whomever He wills. Amen