"Early naturalist believed that caterpillars and butterflies were separate, unrelated insects" (The Butterfly Gardener's Guide). It might seem hard to believe at first glance that the caterpillar transforms into a butterfly. Some may look at a worldly person and find it hard to believe they could become Christ-like. This spiritual transformation is possible and evident in every Christian's life. In 2 Corinthians 3 Paul esteemed Christ and the New Testament as far better than Moses and the old law. Paul closes this chapter with describing the Christian life as a transformation...
�But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord� ( 2 Corinthians 3:18).
The word "transformed" was translated from "metamorphoo," which is also the word that would be used to describe the change from a caterpillar into a butterfly.
Christians and the world are not two separately created people. The world is the place of a caterpillar. Christians are those who have decided to transform into another image the image of the Lord. All people have the choice to be transformed or remain as they are.
Caterpillars transform into a butterfly and the change is complete. Christians are to continue transformation as long as we live. We all "are being transformed" explains Paul. We never stop this process. Paul referred to this in Philippians using different language. This mature Christian had still not reached the point of his transformation being finished.
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus"
Philippians 3:13-14.
We don't pass through a cocoon, but we do pass through Jesus. Beholding the glory of the Lord' makes the process of spiritual transformation possible. Imagine staring into a mirror and seeing the image of Jesus instead of your own. As you see inconsistencies between the two images you change your life to reflect Jesus' image. We can't physically behold Jesus; therefore, Paul in this same chapter, teaches the importance of being a servant of the New Testament. This testament is Christ's covenant. In 2 Corinthians 3:4-6 Paul informs us that through Christ and His covenant we find our sufficiency. When we stop studying and living the New Testament we have stopped transforming our life.
How do we measure this transformation or know it is continually occurring? Usually measurable numbers are used in proper evaluations. This isn't enough in spiritual life. The Pharisee bragged to God how many times he fasted a week and how much he gave while the tax collector humbly pleaded for God's mercy as a sinner. In Luke 18, Jesus taught that the tax collector was the one being exalted (glorious transformation!). If you think you have already obtained your deepest spiritual life with no need to humbly seek more from God, you've stopped transforming.
Let's decide today to humbly submit all to the Lord by daily staring into the New Testament to better learn the Lord. Imitate Him in all ways all day. Every day allow your life to be transformed into His image. One day will be our last day then the trumpet shall sound we shall all be changed we shall be like Him! ( 1 Corinthians 15:52 and 1 John 3:2)