Will You Allow God to Transform You?
Sometimes I read things on social media, and it inspires my work with the Holy Scriptures. I would challenge pastors to read what their local church members are posting. This is especially true for theological memes and quotes. Of course, we have a very serious problem when pastors and churches themselves are posting error or quoting heretics.
Recently, a meme quote of Romans 12:2 appeared with the wrong text address. That caught my attention, but then I noticed the more serious problem. The meme quote read, “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then, you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. –Romans 12:21”
The text address error was clearly just a typo, but the Bible translation employed in the quote prompted the meme maker to ask the question, “Will you allow God to transform you?” There are a few lessons to learn from this. By the way, the meme maker graciously thanked me for the correction and made the changes I suggested, but I needed to make one more suggestion, and here it is…
First, Bible translations matter. As best as I could tell, the meme quote was from the deplorable New Living Translation. This is not the first time I have found myself appalled at the reading of a text, from this particular version. I hope I never see it quoted again.
Second, it should be obvious to us how offensive this translation and the subsequent question are to the doctrine of the sovereignty of God. Here is another sad example of man-centered theology that dominates the church.
Man-centered theology is heresy, no matter what form it takes, at any point in church history (e.g. Arianism; Pelagianism; Arminianism; Socinianism; etc.). It belittles God, who sits on His throne and does as He pleases (Ps 115:3; 135:6). It puts man above God, saying, “Let go and let God do ______________.” Saying, “Let God transform you,” is a gross juxtaposition. Yes, He is the one that transforms us, but no, He does need us to “let” Him do it.
God asks no one’s permission, in order to do all His holy will (Eph 1:11). He does not seek the opinion of men to make a decision one way or the other. This was God’s inquiry of Job, “Where were you, when I laid the foundation of the earth (Job 38:4)?” In the eternal good pleasure of God, brought forth from the eternal council of the Trinitarian Godhead, communicated by God’s eternal decree, which holds the will of God, as communicated through the Word of God, brought to bear — not by human will, but the Spirit moving men along to write (2 Pet 1:20–21)…and then executed by Him, we understand that He accomplishes what concerns us (Ps 57:2; 138:8).
Think about that every time someone says, “I decided to let Jesus save me, by my own free will.” Not even the Word of God, the Bible, was in the power of men, but you think you brought salvation to yourself, by your own will? How much more impressive are you, than the Holy Scriptures, O man!
Ironically, with Romans 12:2 in view, there is nothing more conforming to the world than man-centered theology. The devil tricked Adam and Eve with the prospect of positioning themselves equal to or above God (Gen 3:5). The deceiver has not changed his tactics, “God is in your control, O man, will you let God do this?”
Man is the master and God is the slave in this reprehensible view, of the mighty creature and subservient deity (Is 29:16). May my reader always take note of how phrases, clauses, and even questions, are stated. The subtle power play to position man in the driver’s seat, with God in the backseat, is far more frequent than you might imagine. As the heretic, Steven Furtick, recently said, “There is one thing God cannot do, and that is override your unbelief.” Does this mega church pastor from North Carolina have any understanding of salvation, revealed in the Scriptures?
The Christian’s transformation rests solely in the grace of God (Eph 2:8–9), worked by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11; Jas 4:5). It is the Spirit of Christ, who brings the mind of Christ with Him (1 Cor 2:16), so that the renewing of the mind is the Spirit teaching the believer the Bible (Jn 14:26). The Spirit and the Word together, sanctify the saint (Jn 17:17), who is mere clay in the Potter’s hand (Jer 18; Rom 9:21).
Transformation happens to the Christian, according to God’s predetermined plan (Acts 2:23). It is God who wills and who works in the believer (Phil 2:13). He works on His own time schedule, directing the Christian’s steps, and granting grace and knowledge (2 Pet 3:18), as He wishes, to whom He wishes (Jn 5:21).
“Will you allow God to transform you?” My hope is that I have been able to dispose of such a question. We must remember who we are…slaves of Christ (Eph 6:6), and after our duty is done, our status is: unprofitable (Lk 17:10). It is far better for us to humble ourselves before Almighty God (Jas 4:10). A person will only do that if God has had mercy upon him (Rom 9:15–16) and works His grace in him.
God is not seeking permission to transform you, but only give thanks, if He has chosen to do so. All glory to God for the great things He has done…without us letting Him.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
November 2, 2022
