Chapter 18

God’s Transformation of His People

Sections

Each Christian is being remarkably transformed by God. This chapter looks at what changes are involved and how God brings these about.

Spiritual Life

God’s people are given spiritual life

[Jesus:] The Spirit is the one who gives life; human nature is of no help! The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.   John 6:63 NET

Jesus’ words, together with the Holy Spirit, bring life. They give believers a spiritual awareness that enables them to live in relationship with God. As such they are “alive to God”.

God’s people are spiritually reborn of God

They did not become his children in any human way—by any human parents or human desire. They were born of God.   John 1:12-13 NCV™

Holiness

God’s people are made holy, through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice

He [Jesus] suffered to make the people holy with his own blood.   Hebrews 13:12b GW

God’s people are being transformed to be like Jesus Christ

[Paul, to believers:] Our faces, then, are not covered. We all show the Lord’s glory, and we are being changed to be like him.   2 Corinthians 3:18a NCV™

With the development of the believer’s holiness, their characters grow more like Christ. As such believers increasingly reflect Christ’s glory.

Spiritual Attributes

God gives his people love and faith

Peace to the brothers and sisters [believers], and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.   Ephesians 6:23 NET

God gives his people peace

[Paul, to believers:] Never worry about anything. But in every situation let God know what you need in prayers and requests while giving thanks. 7Then God’s peace, which goes beyond anything we can imagine, will guard your thoughts and emotions through Christ Jesus.   Philippians 4:6-7 GW

God gives his people joy

[Paul, to believers:] May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit.   Romans 15:13 GNT

God gives his people wisdom and knowledge

God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy to anyone who pleases him.   Ecclesiastes 2:26a GW

How God Transforms

God disciplines his people as his children, who he loves

[The writer, to believers:] The Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as his child.” 7So hold on through your sufferings, because they are like a father’s discipline. God is treating you as children. All children are disciplined by their fathers. 8If you are never disciplined (and every child must be disciplined), you are not true children.   Hebrews 12:6-8 NCV™

God teaches his people

He shows those who are humble how to do right, and he teaches them his ways.   Psalms 25:9 NCV™

Pray for persecuted Christians