Transformation Over Information

The quote that says, “It is not what you believe that counts; it is what you believe enough to do” communicates this idea of transformation over information which actually goes right along with what James says in Chapter 1 about being a doer not a hearer. The goal of the Christian life is not knowledge but action. It is allowing Jesus to live His life in and through you by the power of the Holy Spirit. That will result in a changing life which is transformation. So if a Christian is studying the Bible, has knowledge of God, but they or others cannot see life-change then they are just being informed. They just have information. In fact, they may have more of a relationship with a set of beliefs (albeit the right and true beliefs) than with the person of Jesus Christ. And some may not even have a relationship with God through Jesus is there is no sustained transformation going on.

Philippians 1:9-11 is a great example of this ministry practice. Paul prays for the church of Philippi and he begins with love and not knowledge. I think for many Christians we want to start off experiencing God with knowledge. If we only knew more then I would make better and wiser decisions, if I only knew more then I would be a better spouse, parent, friend, employee, or Christian. So what I need is a class to take, a Bible study to attend, a book to read to build up my information and knowledge in a particular topic and then as I grow this knowledge then somehow I will be changed, but Paul in this God inspired prayer says no it begins with love. But it’s not a love that’s all warm and fuzzy. Actually, it is a love that is built on this relational knowledge of God that is applied to your life. And this growing love, rooted in a relationship with God, leads to greater knowledge of who God is and leads to depth of insight or some English translation say discernment which in the Greek communicates a moral compass to navigate through all the fears we face and the pulling influences that leads us away from following Jesus wholeheartedly. Paul knew and maybe you know this already is that believing in information no matter how much it is true doesn’t change us. We need the Holy Spirit to take that true information and apply it to our lives.

Here at Sandy Ridge we realize just listening to messages, going to community groups, reading your Bible, etc will absorb the right information but that doesn’t mean they are growing. How much information you know cannot be a measurement of spiritual maturity and formation. Rather transformation is what it is all about. And why this is so important to keep at the forefront of our lives is that if we are not continually being personally transformed then others will not see God at work in us.