Transforming Series (1) - 1/4 - The key to transformation: Do youunderstand what you’re reading?

The key to transformation: Do you understand what you're reading? (1/4) By Josimar Salum

The great challenge that every student of the Bible faces is summed up in the classic question that Philip asked the Eunuch upon approaching his chariot and hearing him read from Isaiah the prophet: “Do you understand what you are reading?” (Acts 8:30)

Throughout the whole history of the church, interpretations of Scripture have created who we are, they have formed our lives and have defined what the modus Vivendi of the “church” is today. Interpretations of Scripture have been filtered through concepts pre-established by church history and traditions, doctrines and dogmas, our culture, and the inevitable worldviews formed through our own spiritual experiences. They are also filtered through emotional spirituality and even through our own psychological predisposition.

A correct interpretation of Scripture and our matching faith is revealed through the love relationship that we have with God and with our neighbor. It is revealed through behaviors formed out of expressions of genuine biblical works that we develop and practice over time, and also through the mission that we fulfill each day as disciples of Jesus.

We are challenged by the Spirit of God, which guides us in all Truth to respond to the same question that Philip asked the eunuch. We don’t necessarily need all the history, the traditions, the doctrines and the dogmas, the worldviews and spiritual experiences, and we don’t necessarily need an exclusive person to explain the Scripture to us.

It is so frustrating to discover only too late that we have been wrapped up in fables, that we still take part in silly superstitions, and that for an entire lifetime we have believed, preached and taught lies as if they were Truths and mere inventions as if they were true revelations. We teach these inventions and fables as Truths when in fact they are simply imitations of something in history. Most of us have a tendency to act like parrots; we usually repeat what we hear without even taking the time to give proper thought to what we are repeating.

I’ve been pausing to think seriously if what we believe in is actually the Truth and I haven’t had any difficulty in coming to the conclusion that much of what we believe in is actually fantasy, myths, and lies.

I’ve been reflecting and thinking seriously if what we have been trusting in as the Truth is truly the Truth. And I’ve had no fear that in doing this I would be disconnecting myself from Jesus.

It is impossible to fall away from Jesus when we are seeking the Truth. It is the search for the Truth that brings us closer and closer to Jesus, thought by thought, step by step.

We need to question and investigate beliefs in order to find out if what we think and know today is truly biblical and if what we believe is the Truth. We must repent and begin this metamorphosis. For it is in this metamorphosis that we clearly experience a transformation of the mind, of our thoughts and our knowledge in the face of the Truth without getting ourselves worked up emotionally. We must voluntarily and desperately desire the Truth, to know the Truth, to experience the Truth if we want to be servants of Jesus and of the Truth, and indeed, slaves to true Freedom.

The truth isn’t found in formulas, theories, doctrines, philosophies or theorems. The Truth is a Person. Jesus is the Truth.

Creativity is muzzled on when many of our leaders are afraid to respond to questions from their followers or they are afraid of having their faith tested. Any theology that cannot be questioned or confronted is one that fears the scrutiny of the Word of God. A new idea that cannot be explored further is suffocated by the fear of being discovered that it was wrong, or the new idea is right and we were all wrong along the way.

Along with this there comes the institutionalization and petrifaction of a “revelation” which creates a morbid environment where all creativity is rejected and classified as heresy. This is done as a matter of course to maintain the “status quo” and the comfort that is provided by sameness.

Creativity is stifled when there is no desire for experiencing change. Often there are changes made to the physical environment of the church and even sometimes in the language and jargon. But these are only superficial changes, which are the most that simply applying a layer of makeup can accomplish.

We can all see the extent of this stupidity by observing the wisdom found in the classic quote by W.L. Bateman: “If you keep on doing what you’ve always been doing, you’ve keep on getting what you’ve always been getting.”

However, as far as transformation is concerned, the Word of God is clear: 

“Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – His good, perfect, and pleasing will.” (Romans 12:2 NIV) 

The renewing of the mind is a metamorphosis of creativity and rediscovery of the Word of God.

The result of transformation is: “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is”.

The text “then you will be able” simply implies that we need the ability to test the will of God.

The text shows that the will of God cannot be tested by all.

The Will of God can only be tested by one who has gone through a metamorphosis by experiencing the renewing of his mind; in a way that now he may intelligently understand things, or in other words, one who has the rational ability to comprehend the Will of God. It is only through metamorphosis that one will be enable to experience the Will of God otherwise it is only intellectual exercise.

To be continued...

Read all articles here:

1/4 - The key to transformation: Do you understand what you’re 
reading? 

2/4 - The Key to Transformation: Destructive phrases, enemies to changing! 

3/4 - The key to transformation - Other destructive phrases, enemies to changing! 

4/4 - The key to transformation: All of us are called to full-time ministry