Transformation sounds very posh! What does it mean to be an agent of transformation?
- We seek to live out the Beatitudes and the Sermon on the Mount, living according to values that make little sense to the rest of society. (Matt 5:1-14)
- We seek to do to others what we would like them to do to us. (Matt 7:12)
- We seek to love our enemies and pray for them, instead of cursing them and seeking revenge. (Matt 5:43-48)
- We seek to forgive instead of holding onto bitterness and resentment. (Eph 4:32)
- We seek to do good to all, not just to those people we feel deserve kindness. (Gal 6:9-10
- We seek to live honourable, pure, holy lives, turning our backs on sexual promiscuity and lust (Matt 5:27-30, 1 Thess 4:3).
- We seek to work hard and give up ways that dishonour God, such as stealing. (Eph 4:28)
- We seek to give up bad language and profanity, speaking only the truth in love which has the power to build people up. (Eph 4:25, 29) Words are important; there’s no way we should talk as the world does, using swearing and cursing in our speech. God wants us to honour Him in how we talk.
- We seek to put off falsehood and lies and live truthfully. (Eph 4:25)
- We seek to get rid of bitterness, rage and anger, knowing that human anger does not bring about the righteous life God requires. (Eph 4:26, James 1:20)
- We seek to give up anything that would master us (addictions, alcohol, drugs, smoking, greed, gluttony and so on) because we want only to be mastered by God. (Rom 6:11-14)
- We seek God so that fear, anxiety and despair do not master us and so that we can point others to hope and life. (Matt 6:25-34)
- We understand that who we are is the wellspring of life and that no amount of doing will ever replace the importance of being. We understand also that transformation comes as we spend time with God and allow His Spirit to reign in our lives.