Have You Really Been Transformed?
I would like to share some of my notes from another of my “favorite” books…”The Life You’ve Always Wanted” by John Ortberg. This particular section is about “transformation”. Here is what he has to say:
The desire for transformation lies deep in every heart. But what usually happens is that when we don’t experience authentic transformation we settle for being informed or conformed. We adopt practices that we feel distinguish us from the world. We are “pseudotransformed”.
In other words we are pseudoChristians or fake!! Here is a summary, in my words, of what Ortberg calls the five signs of pseudotransformation:
- Preoccupation with the appearance of being spiritual.
- Being judgemental, exclusive or proud…as soon as we start to pursue virtue, we begin to wonder why others aren’t as virtuous as us.
- Am I becoming more approachable or less? Pseudotransformation pushes people away, true spirituality draws people to you.
- Am I growing weary of spiritual growth? The pursuit of righteousness is always an exhausting pursuit when it seeks a distorted goal. Are we devoting our lives to observing all the rules and never opening our heart to love or joy?
- And finally, am I measuring my spiritual life in superficial ways? Measured by prayer time and Bible reading? Chapters? Giving? These things are important because they can be used by God to help us grow. BUT….
…The real question is what kind of people are we becoming? Who are we at home? How do we talk to our family? What do we do when no one is looking?
My soul is hungry for REAL transformation. I want Christ to consume my life. I want to feel complete but I know I never will until I completely belong to Christ.
FAVORITE!
