Retro Wednesday

Retro Wednesday 2012: A Metamorphosis

By Amy Gentry

The Lord has given His followers the grace to be transformed into His likeness.  Take a moment to meditate on that statement. 

THE GRACE TO BE TRANSFORMED INTO HIS LIKENESS.

In His grace, Christ has given us access to every gift from the Heavenly realms that we might need to be transformed into an earthly depiction of His character, a model of His mercy, a portrait of His compassion, the resemblance of His love, and the representation of His power to change a heart, lost.

"He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. (1) He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher (2) to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, the church, until (3) we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God's Son, (4) fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, (5) fully alive like Christ."  Ephesians 4:10-13 The Message (emphasis mine)

(1) He gave us disciple makers,

(2) To equip us to be a part of His body as skilled servants,

(3) Growing in: living out godliness and having an intimate relationship with God,

(4) Goal: to become fully mature Christians, developing our personal relationship with God and likewise having fruitful relationships with other believers,

(5) Having an abundant life.

You my sister - are a beautiful creation of the Lord, to be transformed from the woman you once were into a masterpiece portrait of Christ here on earth.  Take heart, as you mature in Christ you are going through a HOLY METAMORPHASIS. 

(I personally love the mental picture of being transformed from a chubby caterpillar into a magnificent, soaring butterfly.)

CHALLENGE: Are you sitting at the feet of a Mentor who is training you in living out your faith in Christ?