description of the various processes or stages that the people of God will go through as they grow in their Christian walk. In many of his writings he refers to the mind of Christ. He also alludes to the formation of Christ within the believer and so as we contemplate the scriptures, we begin to see and understand that there is a lot more to this walk than when we first begun. At the onset, let us be clear to state to you that all is "by grace", "lest any man should boast". As we diligently set ourselves to seek and come to maturity in the Lord, His grace is released, thereby enabling us to understand, appropriate the truths, and persevere in the course set before us. Some will say, well if all this is true then it will just happen. Not so. God will never make us do anything, but He will enable us.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be 'transformed' by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)

The word 'transformed' is the greek word 'metamorphoo'. It is where we get our word 'metamorphosis'. When we look at metamorphosis in nature, we can clearly see that it is a process that takes place over a period of time. The butterfly is a beautiful example of the process and we can clearly see that it doesn't happen instantly.

Without getting into a scientific discussion concerning the movement of the caterpillar to the butterfly stage, let us look briefly at the process in layman's terms. Not all caterpillars will become butterflies, but the ones who chose to go through the process of having their flesh crucified with its passions will. The caterpillar will usually crawl up a tree and attach himself beneath a leaf through the spinning of a cocoon. Under the leaf, he is protected from the elements which might destroy the process. Once he has spun the cocoon around himself, he can never go back. So, the caterpillar is brought to a place of total submission and trust as he hangs helplessly beneath this leaf trusting that the cocoon will not come loose and fall to the ground and that he will come forth different. The caterpillar then begins to go through a metamorphosis process in which his old nature will pass away and a new nature (the butterfly) will emerge. The process within the cocoon is a long process but at the very last stage there is a process which takes place in just moments that is called the 'crystallis' stage, and the butterfly will break forth fluttering everywhere. Never having to crawl again. Never again having to view life from an earthly perspective. Now his view is from the heavens. Do we see that he is going up that tree to his death so that new life can come forth?

The transformation process that God desires us to enter comes only through the renewing of our minds. This also takes a long period of time and it requires a willingness within ourselves to die to our self will and natural way of thinking. God wants to completely transform us the way that we think! As long as our thoughts are our own, we will see the attachment beneath the wing as a place of danger and we will want to ride on top of it. God is wanting us to come under Him, to come into a place of total trust. Continually, He is drawing us toward Gethsemane for the final rending of our self will, and the yielding to His will. And it is only then that we can really see and understand the mission that is before us, thereby enabling us to finish the race. This is not something that you can do for yourself, but if you are willing, God will do it and He will enable you to receive. Achievement will only come through the leadership of the Holy Spirit and we can be assured that He will lead us into the meeting place with the will of God. You see, all we have to do is come to the place where we are willing, and as we partake of His Word, then that which goes in, will not return void, but it shall accomplish all that He pleases. It is His Word that washes, and cleanses and causes us to be pure, spotless, and without wrinkle (Eph. 5:26-27).

It is interesting to note here, that the word 'metamorphoo' is only used in three scriptures in the Bible. They are Transfigured: Matt. 17:2 & Mark 9:2 and Transformed: Rom. 12:2 which we just discussed. The word 'metamorphoo' means to:

a: to transform, transfigure, change

b. to change in condition, structure, or character

Peter, James, and John accompanied Jesus into a high mountain and there Jesus was transfigured before their eyes. There they beheld what was to come when Jesus would complete His mission. They beheld Him in full redemption: mind, body, and spirit. That which was corruptible would put on incorruption, mortality would put on immortality, and death would be swallowed up in life. Not only did they behold His complete redemption, but prophetically they also beheld the church! He is the Head and we are His body. We are complete in Him and we are one with Him, and we too are coming to that hour.

"And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works". (2Cor. 11:14-15)

Let us not confuse the word transformed in this scripture with the transformation of the mind. The word 'transformed' here comes from the Greek word 'metaschematzo' which means to transforms oneself, to self disguise, to transfigure self! Notice the word self. This transformation is brought on so as to be disguised and to be something that you are not. Also, this process is not sanctioned by kingdom of God. It is a state of total pretense which can only be temporary. The transformation process worked by the Holy Spirit is eternal, just as the 'born again' experience is.

Finally, we can have the mind of Christ. It was given to us, but we will have to be willing as he was to die to ourselves and our desires. As we die to ourselves, our motives will become pure and it will be our heart to serve rather than to be served. We must desire to view from the perspective of the heavens rather than the earthy dust realm where the enemy lies in wait to deceive us with half-truths and temporal fixes.

"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him. But we have the mind of Christ". (1Cor. 2;15-16)

"Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus; Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men; and being found in fasion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Phil. 2:5-8)