While reading through Romans 12 this morning, the following words challenged me afresh. "Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." It was "Let God transform you" that struck me and caused me to ask myself: "Can I prevent God transforming me? If so, how might I do that?"

We saw yesterday that we become new creations when we get saved. And that is how God sees us, despite our being a work-in-progress when it comes to being transformed into the image of Jesus. Yet God also sees us as already changed into Christ's likeness. And we read in Heb. 10:14 "By one sacrifice he has made perfect for ever those who are being made holy". The Father also sees us as already made perfect! How do we know we have already been made perfect from this verse? Because we experience the work of the Holy Spirit checking us, correcting us, challenging us and shaping us; in other words we experience him making us holy in our day-to-day lives. The staggering thing is that God sees the end product which is guaranteed, not the work-in-progress. "We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him" (1 John 3:2). We need to take our eyes off the work-in-progress and fix them on the perfections of Jesus!

So, I can prevent God transforming me (sanctifying me) by not cooperating with the Holy Spirit and by disobeying what comes later in the chapter!

"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.  Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you. Don’t curse them; pray that God will bless them.  Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with each other. Don’t be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people. And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil … Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone … never take revenge … Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good" (Rom. 12:9-21).

A great golden oldie: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETEpxb1OWQ0