In 1501, a young Michelangelo was handed an enormous block of marble. It was deeply flawed, rejected by other sculptors who deemed it unworkable. But Michelangelo saw something others could not. For over two years, he toiled, chiseling away at what seemed like an impossible project. From that unremarkable block emerged one of the most iconic masterpieces in history: the statue of David. Michelangelo famously said, “I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”
The story of Michelangelo’s David offers a striking metaphor for the transformative life. In the hands of the Master Artist, what seems broken, flawed, and formless can become something breathtaking. This is the work God desires to do in us. We are the marble, created in His image yet marred by sin. And through the process of spiritual formation, God works to set us free, transforming us into the image of Christ.
Made for Transformation
We are, at our core, malleable beings. Scripture teaches that we are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), yet this image, though beautiful, has been marred by sin. The fall distorted not only our actions but our desires, emotions, and even our understanding of truth. In our natural state, we are shaped by the world around us—its values, its pressures, and its disordered priorities. We become conformed to the patterns of this world when we chase after power, prestige, comfort, or approval. This conformity is not neutral; it is deformative. It bends us away from our intended purpose and fractures our relationship with God, others, and even ourselves.
To be transformed into the image of Christ is to enter into a process of healing and restoration. Transformation is not self-improvement or mere moral adjustment; it is a work of the Spirit, who takes what is broken and makes it whole, aligning us with the will of God and the life of Christ.
Conformity vs. Transformation
The Apostle Paul offers a vivid contrast in Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Here, Paul identifies two possible trajectories for our lives: conformity to the world or transformation by the Spirit.
Conformity to the world often feels natural. It is the path of least resistance, shaped by cultural norms and personal desires. It is easy to slip into patterns of comparison, consumerism, and self-centered ambition, all while convincing ourselves that we are merely pursuing what is “normal.” But this kind of conformity deforms us. It distorts our perception of reality, reorients our affections away from God, and leaves us spiritually malnourished.
Transformation, by contrast, requires intentionality. It is a process of surrender and cooperation with the Spirit of God. Transformation begins with a new way of seeing, rooted in right beliefs (orthodoxy). It deepens as our affections and emotions are reoriented toward God and His kingdom (orthopathy). Finally, it bears fruit in a life of right actions (orthopraxy), reflecting the character of Christ in tangible ways.
Orthodoxy: Renewing the Mind
The transformative life begins with truth. Jesus declared, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). To be transformed into His image, we must first align our minds with the truth of who He is and what He has done. This means allowing Scripture to shape our understanding of God, ourselves, and the world.
Right belief is not merely about intellectual assent; it is about seeing reality as it truly is. It involves recognizing that we were made by God, for God, and that our deepest purpose is found in glorifying Him. When our minds are renewed by the truth of the gospel, we begin to see through the lies of the world and the distortions of our own disordered desires. We discern the will of God, which is “good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
Orthopathy: Reordering the Heart
Belief alone is not enough. The transformative life also requires a change in our affections. Jesus called His followers to love the Lord their God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30). This is not a command to feel a certain way but an invitation to reorder our desires.
Disordered desires are at the root of much of our conformity to the world. When we place our ultimate hope in things like success, relationships, or material possessions, we become enslaved to them. They shape us into their image, leaving us restless and unsatisfied. To be transformed, our loves must be rightly ordered. The Spirit of God works within us to cultivate holy affections—love for God, compassion for others, and a longing for righteousness.
This reordering of the heart is not something we can achieve through willpower alone. It requires abiding in Christ, who is the true vine (John 15:5). As we remain connected to Him through prayer, worship, and Scripture, His life flows into us, reshaping our desires and filling us with His love.
Orthopraxy: Living the Life of Christ
Right beliefs and holy affections naturally lead to right actions. The transformative life is not merely about inner change; it is about living in a way that reflects the character of Christ. This includes acts of love, justice, mercy, and humility. It involves forgiving those who wrong us, serving those in need, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom.
Orthopraxy is not about earning God’s favor; it is the fruit of a life rooted in Him. As James reminds us, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). True transformation manifests in how we live, not as a burden but as a natural outflow of the Spirit’s work within us.
Becoming What We Behold
At the heart of spiritual formation is this truth: we become what we behold. If we fix our eyes on the things of this world, we will be shaped by them. But if we behold the glory of the Lord, we will be transformed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). This is a gradual process, one that requires patience, perseverance, and grace. It is not about perfection but about progress, as the Spirit continually draws us closer to the heart of God.
The Invitation to Spiritual Direction
Transformation is not a solo endeavor. We need companions on the journey, people who can help us discern the Spirit’s work in our lives and encourage us to stay rooted in Christ. Spiritual direction is a gift for this purpose. It provides a sacred space to listen for God’s voice, explore the movements of the Spirit, and deepen your walk with Christ.
If you long to live the transformative life, consider stepping into the practice of spiritual direction. It is not about being told what to do but about being guided into greater awareness of God’s presence and work in your life. Together, we can journey toward the One who made us, loves us, and is making us new.
As we continue our writing, we will explore the formative journey and explore aspects of spiritual warfare. For there are no bystanders in this journey - we are all participants in this life of formation or deformation. What will you choose?
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