Where's the Power? Where's the Big Transformation?

If you're any type of theologian, you know that once one has become a born-again believer a change in that person's life takes place. This change is supposed to be dramatic, drastic, and immediate. At least thats what I have always been told. That's what I've preached. We all know that the Bible talks about the drastic, dramatic, and immediate change in Saul. His change is so emphatic that his name was changed to Paul. Complete change had occurred in this man.

Since, he had such a dramatic change we expect all Christians to have such an amazingly immediate transformation. So what happens when there isn't a big transformation? Was this person truly saved? What happens when there seems to be no power?

To answer the question about their salvation. The Bible tells us that yes there will be change, but how big and how quick is not told. Before we look at the effects of the change one must ask what is the change to begin with? The change is a change in nature. It is the death of our nasty sinful life and the beginning of a completely new life. It is regeneration. It is a new heart, and new spirit. Ezekiel 36:25-27,

"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."

Our desires have changed while before we did not care about God nor His Word, with the new heart and new spirit we long for God's Word and desire to fulfill His Word. We want to be do-ers of the Word.So, the change is not external, but internal. It is the core of who we are as individuals. It is within us. Our passion has changed.

So is it fair to measure if a person is saved, or if he is "growing" by one's visible external change? Absolutely not. This is a big misconception. If you are wondering why do I not see a big evident transformation? Where's the power? Maybe you are looking in the wrong place. When you are questioning your salvation or spiritual maturity, maybe you should be looking at your desires, motives, and passions instead of outer displays of transformation.

Look at Matthew 5:6, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled." This is talking about a Believer's desire to be holy and righteous like their Savior. If you are burdened about your sin, repentant, and desire change to be holy, I would be pretty confident about your position. Now the outer changes are effects of the inner change in desires.

Spiritual growth is hard. It isn't a mystical on/off switch. It is an all out fight. Its your new desires (for Christ), against the desires of the flesh. While I do believe in perseverance of the saints (for the most part), I think that Calvinists sometimes over-simplify the battle of spiritual growth. It is like an old western fight, its a brawl. And sometimes, maybe a lot of times, we lose. But that dosn't mean you're losing the war. Ask youself this, who's power are you fighting under?

If you are wondering where is the power? Where is the big transformation? Just look at what Christ has done for you, examine the change in desire from sin to holiness, and act or work that inner change out under the unction of the Spirit. That's my opinion. Take it or leave it. - Dean

(also see Spiritual Growth: What is it and How Does it Work?)