Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

What an incredible transformation of a life — from slaves to sons and daughters of the King! Sometimes when we are given a great gift or redeemed from great tragedy, we don’t want to believe it, for fear of being disappointed if it doesn’t prove true.

When I think of incredible transformations, sports memories come to mind. For me personally, there was a transformation that occurred from my freshman to my Senior year of high school. As a freshman, I was big and somewhat overweight. I was trying out for the football team at a public school, moving over from a private school, and the competition was more fierce. A small-in-stature skater boy started trying to pick a fight with me. I delayed this for a while, but he kept it up and one day, the fight was on. He got one quick punch to my head, I tackled him, and then the fight was broken up. He was declared the winner. My football coach was having none of this. He sent a body-builder of sorts, a sophomore football player named Eric, to toughen me up. Eric got me to join his gym, I became his workout partner, and I went from a 6’1 200 lb overweight kid as a freshman, to 6’4” 240 lb kid as a junior. In my senior year, I leaned down to 225, and ran a 5.0 — 40 yard dash. I was second team all-conference at defensive tackle, defensive lineman of the year in my league. I had transformed from a big unathletic kid to a top athlete. Why? Mainly because Eric took me under his wing and I applied myself to his mentorship in strength training.

The transformation Paul is talking about is so much greater here! As Christ’s disciples, we have left a life of slavery to sin. Why? Because Jesus saved us by his death on the cross. He redeemed us from this old life. But he did not stop there; he did not leave us on the side of the road to fend for ourselves. No, he washed us up, he purified our hearts with his precious blood, and he presented us as holy … to a Holy God. And he also sent his Spirit to live inside our hearts, as a counselor or guide. ‭‭John‬ ‭14‬:‭16‬-‭21‬ says this: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”

My transformation was pretty big for me at the time, though temporary. I will get older, and eventually die. Jesus’ transformation was, is, and forevermore will be AN ETERNAL TRANSFORMATION OF EPIC PROPORTIONS!

Have you received the free gift of salvation and been transformed by Jesus? Do you know your eternal destiny is with him? Will you seek him first and his righteousness (Matt. 6:33)?

Lord, thank you for your transformational work in my heart, which dwarfs the body transformation I had in high school. You have destined me for greatness and desire for me to know your heart and obey your commands. Work your love in and through me. May it bring you glory!