I was teaching our youngest son Isaac about metamorphosis today. It reminded me of the transformation that occurs within us in a lifetime, and especially the change that occurs when we invite Jesus to be part of our life.
Metamorphosis is the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages. The most remarkable and transforming metamorphosis known in all creation happens when we decide to follow Jesus.
In the bible in Colossians 3: 5-17, Paul refers to this process of change when he encourages us to let of our old way of living and to be transformed to the new life Jesus has given us.
He says, “You once behaved, characterized by your evil deeds. But now it’s time to eliminate them from your lives once and for all—anger, fits of rage, all forms of hatred, cursing, filthy speech, and lying. Lay aside[your old Adam-self with its masquerade and disguise.
For you have acquired new creation life which is continually being renewed into the likeness of the One who created you; giving you the full revelation of God. In this new creation life, your nationality makes no difference, nor your ethnicity, education, nor economic status—they matter nothing. For it is Christ that means everything as he lives in every one of us!” (Colossians 3:7-11 TPT)
It’s about growing up and leaving the comfortable patterns of your old life behind so you can clothe yourself in your new identity. This inner change gradually becomes evident and is expressed in your behaviour, thoughts and what you do and say.
The more you embrace the transformation process and allow who you are in Jesus to shine forth, the quicker the metaphoric process and the shedding of your immature old self will be.
It’s a process of choosing to:
Get to know and love Jesus and becoming acquainted with His words and ways. Transformation begins to be outworked as we “let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill our lives.”
And “teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. (Colossians 3:16)
Aligning whatever you do and say with Jesus and His Word – you become a living example of His love for you by showing that love to others.
“Letting every detail in your lives—words, actions, whatever—be done in the name of the Master, Jesus, thanking God the Father every step of the way.” (Colossians 3:16-17 NLT)
Metamorphosis is about growing up, and cooperating with God as He completes the work he has started in you. You can choose to go round and round, continually dealing with the trappings of your old life issues, which Jesus has through the Cross broken the chains of, or you can shake off any sign of your old self and actively seek to cooperate with the new life that has been deposited within you.
The choice is yours every day as to whether you remain an infant or grow up into the fullness of life in Jesus.
“Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4 NLT)
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
Prayer: Lord, please help me grow up into maturity and to lay aside any childish ways. Thank you that I am a new creation in you and that old things have passed away, and all things are made new. In Jesus name Amen.
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