TRANSFORMATION

The Gospel of John reminds us 1:1 “In the beginning was the word, and the word with God, and the word was God…in him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.” (JESUS!) “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among US. We have seen his Glory…and the darkness has not overcome it.”

Genesis means beginning or origin. This is the story of Beginnings that end in Revelation. We were all formed in our mother’s womb’s in just a wink in time in The Father’s eye.

Recent research at Northwestern University has detected a microscopic flash of light at the instant of conception. Genesis 1:1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth….“And God said, “Let there be Light!!” TRANSFORMATION begins with formation.

Acts 2:4 “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues.” Acts 3:6 “Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk! 8 He jumped up to his feet and began to walk…4:2 “They (the Sanhedrin) were greatly disturbed.” (they had recognized them as followers of Jesus) Acts 5:29 “Peter and the other disciples replied ‘we must obey God rather than human beings.” “When they (the high priests) heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death. But the Pharisee named Gamaliel…advised “leave these men alone…for if their purpose or activity is of human origin it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Romans 8:28 “And we know that God works for the good of those who love him., who have been called according to his purpose.”

Galatians 5:22” But the fruit of the spirit is Love Joy Peace Patience Goodness Kindness Gentleness Faithfulness and Self-Control” Ephesians 4: “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”

Romans 12 “Just as a body, though one, has many parts from one body, so it is with Christ.”

In John 17 Jesus prayed to the father for all believers: “That all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us so that the world will believe that you have sent me.”

From “The Gospel of the Kingdom” by George Eldon Ladd (paraphrasing) The Kingdom of Heaven come to earth in human form 2,000 years ago and man could reject it. (and they did and we do) Jesus came to rebuke satan but he did not come to liberate Israel from their Roman tyrant oppressors. He did not come to change the political order of things. He came to change the spiritual order of men and women.

At the end of The Kingdom of Heaven, the author shows us how God wants us to know it is up to US to be the best versions of ourselves in the battle of Goodness over evil and love others as God loves us. As children of God, we are to set the Jesus standard as the descendants of the Maker’s Dozen disciples, touch lives and change destinies with our Servant Hearts and increase the Kingdom of Heaven.

Philippians 2:1 “Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like – minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vein conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”

This is not a niche book and it is by no means a substitute for the Bible. But it is a recognition of the cry of our souls for something better than chaos, censorship, riots and looting in the streets, and strategic division. Human beings are naturally communal. Human communication is laden with traps, both by honest failure and hidden intent. Communion is the sharing or exchanging of intimate thoughts and feelings on a mental or spiritual level; or in an intimate fellowship and rapport with common bonds in life, circumstances, hopes and dreams.

God created human beings for Relationships, for procreation, civil and scientific evolution and belongingness. In Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, communion is on the same level of necessity as physical sustenance and shelter.

The most successful societies in ancient times are the ones which had horses because they could travel long distances and learn more about agriculture, construction, technology, science, medicine, art, music and philosophy. They brought home treasures more precious than gold. Unity and diversity in collective achievements.

In Matthew 20:25-28 Jesus addressed the culture of oppression in governments that obsess on laws over public service, compassion and fellowship. "You know that the rulers...lord it over them...but whoever wants to become great among you must first be your servant." President Kennedy famously advised in his book Profiles in Courage: "Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask, instead, What can I do for my country." He was crucified in a convertible.

Jesus and soldiers teach us about Sacrificial Love. Little acts of service are big when we give of ourselves...unconditional Love in The Body of Christ.

Philippians 2:5 “In your Relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature, God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.”

We are better together. God’s divine recipe, a tasty gumbo or stew. Our pastors make sure we know that Christianity is primarily and fundamentally about relationships. Reject the voices of division. Streaming church service is a covid malaise. Get off the couch and out the door.

Immerse yourself in the ambiance of the Holy Spirit, worship music and the fist-bump meet and greet to kick off a wonderful word bathed in the Grace and mercy of God. Come and be reminded God is LOVE! John 3:16 “For God so Loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not parish but have eternal life.”

Eternal life in peace and harmonious fellowship; sounds like heaven to me! Romans 8:17 “Now if we are children, then we are heirs; heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his Glory.” Ephesians 1:11: “In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.”