Transformers!

I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:1-2)

Characters from the Sci-Fi Transformers Films

The sci-fi story of the Transformers is a race of giant robots, a mechanical from of sentient life. The robots destroyed their home planet. Autobots took refuge on earth, hiding in plain sight as automobiles. Then the Decepticons, led by the evil Megatron, forces the Autobots to come out of hiding to do battle. They morph from cars into giant battling robots. 

Disciples are called to morph, too. We are called out of the world; out of its values and ways. We are no longer to try and blend in, hiding in conformity to that which we know is wrong. We are rather claimed by our God to be holy as He is holy. No longer are we to live under lies. We are to renew our minds with the word of God and the witness of the Spirit.

My rhetoric sounds very cult like, don't it? It could be if it were not based on the idea of God's holiness. God is love. Holiness is to share in God's divine nature. To pursue holiness is to pursue love. We seek to be as loving as God loves, selflessly and courageously.

High minded words, I'm sure. Look at Paul's words in Romans 12:2. We are seeking the renewal of our minds, breaking from from the illusions of the world that trap us in greed, lust, covetousness, laziness, vengefulness, vanity and gluttony. With the help of God, we discover what is God's good and perfect will. 

I know I need transformation. We live in a post-Christian world. The church is no longer a cultural norm for the citizens of America. As each generation emerges, the church is less and less a part of what is important to them. They've been lied to and shaped by advertisers, Hollywood, and political agendas, both conservative and liberal extremes. Our schools teach a Godless worldview. Religion is considered a taboo subject by most. Our young people are searching for meaning. They long to build a better world. Who will show them the truth? Who will give them hope in God's vision for holy community where love reigns?

What does holy community look like? Read further in Paul's letter in Romans 12.

Be humble. Encourage one another to serve according to their giftedness through faith.

Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. (Romans 12:9-18)

I look at the church today and realize how far we have fallen from our calling to leave the world behind. Instead we have for far too long chosen to hide in plain sight like the Autobots. Bu the Lord is calling us out of the world, out of conformity to popular opinion and into a process of transformation. The word of God has been spoken and recorded for all. God is still speaking. Each time we search the scriptures God is speaking His God breathed words into our heart and renewing our minds, so that we know the truth. We can know the good and perfect will of God by discerning the truth from His word. Then we can live accordingly.

Let's face it. The world doesn't want the same things as we disciples. The world hate Jesus and hates the truth. The world will hate you too. A disciple needs to come to grips with this and be OK with it. Who needs transformation? We do. We need to be convinced of what we want. Do we want to blend in with the world and hope for accolades from society? Or do we want to please God and share in His holy nature? You can't have both. 

I end with Jesus' priestly prayer for the church from John's gospel.

Father,

I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. (John 17:14-18)