Utumishi Blog

Transformation is a great buzz word. Everyone is in favour of transformation. But what sort of transformation are we looking for at iServe Africa, how is it going to happen and what is the ‘end product’ supposed to be?

2 Corinthians 3:18 is brilliant on this:

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”

What transformation are we looking for? “…into the same image… the glory of the Lord.” What does that mean? In the next chapter we find, “the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4), “the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Cor. 4:6). We are seeking transformation into the likeness of Christ, the Christ who is the image of God, the face of God, the one and only and full revelation of God, the Christ who redefines leadership as he washes smelly feet, who redefines beauty as his face is punched and bruised for us, who redefines glory as he is lifted up on a cross. Paul modelled this sort of transformation: “…carrying around the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may be manifested… our outer nature wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day… looking not to the seen but to the unseen and eternal…” (2 Cor. 4:11-18). It is not the sort of transformation that the Corinthians were keen on.  It is not the sort of transformation most colleges and courses and even churches are keen on today – self-actualisation, fulfilling our potential, being happy, confident and ‘successful’. But God is more concerned about our godliness.  Transformation into the image of Christ crucified is the only path of true godliness, true glory, liberation, joy, and lasting transformation.

How is it going to happen?  It is impossible, humanly. “For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” No programme, no course can produce this kind of transformation. Paul’s big point in chapter 3 and 4 is that this is a ministry of the Spirit. There is no heart change without the liberation of the Spirit (2 Cor. 3:17).  We need a miracle equivalent to the creation of light itself (2 Cor. 4:6; Gen. 1:3).  But how does transformation by the Spirit actually work?  Is that all there is to say – it is the Spirit’s work and it is just an impenetrable mystery?  No – we are told how the Spirit works: “…we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord…” We are transformed into the image of God as we behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. That will happen perfectly when he returns and we see him as he is and become like him because (1 John 3:2) but it can and must happen now too.  And where do we see him now?  In the Scriptures.  As Jesus himself said, the Law and the Prophets and the Writings all speak of him (Luke 24). The whole Bible is one great, beautiful, multi-faceted portrait of him. The problem is that naturally we are blind and hardened and we can’t see the obvious. There is a veil over our hearts (2 Cor. 3:15). But in Christ, by his Spirit, the veil is taken away (2 Cor. 3:14, 16-17), our eyes are opened to see the gospel of the glory of Christ on every page of his Word.  That is how we are saved – looking on Christ crucified (John 3:14-15) – and that is how we go on being transformed to be like him. The way in is the way on. That is why iServe Africa is so concerned about faithful Christ-centred Bible teaching. That is why we are more concerned that apprentices read the Word than that they rush around trying to change the world. That is why all our training is hopefully no more and no less than an opening of God’s Word and a gazing at Jesus.

What is the ‘end product’?  “…one degree of glory to another.” What does that look like? A ‘better you’?  Ever-increasing salary and happiness?  Rising international stardom and acclaim?  We’ve already said that the glory of Christ looks very different to the world’s glory. It will mean being “afflicted… perplexed… persecuted…” (2 Cor. 4:8-9) along with a deep and lasting joy (2 Cor. 6:10). In particular at iServe Africa we are praying for two outcomes (though they are really inseparable) – faithful Bible teachers and servant leaders. On the first, there is a great definition in 2 Corinthians 4, just after our key verse: “We refuse to practise cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by open statement of the truth… what we proclaim is not ourselves but Jesus Christ…” (v2, 5).  How much do we see of that in our context today?  Wouldn’t it be great if God mercifully raised up many Christ-like young people who would faithfully open God’s Word and straight-forwardly proclaim Christ in churches, Sunday schools, universities, mission fields across East Africa and beyond?  And what of servant leadership? Paul continues: “… with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (v5).  Paul has been transformed, not so much for his own sake as for the sake of others and for the sake of Jesus.  The great apostle puts himself below the Corinthians. He is willing to labour and sacrifice his rights for them, to “die every day” so that they would live in Christ and know the wonderful grace of Christ to the glory of God (v12, 15).   

So do we see how this becomes a cycle?  We hear faithful Christ-centred preaching which points us to the Bible and with eyes opened by the Spirit we see the Lord of glory hanging on a cross for us and we are set free from guilt and hell and begin to be transformed into the image of Christ. This transformation produces servant leaders and faithful handlers of God’s word who go out to serve and preach Christ from the Scriptures so that other people are also liberated and transformed into the image of Christ… and so on and on and outward and outward to the ends of the earth… to the glory of God.  That’s the vision.  Are we together?