(Rom 16:25) NRSV "Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages"
(Col 1:26) NRSV "the mystery that has been hidden throughout the ages and generations but has now been revealed to his saints."
I use the above passages to show how important illumination of mystery is in the gospel message. Paul uses the word mystery in 18 different verses. The word he used is musterian, a secret. The whole concept of progressive revelation suggests that there are secrets periodically revealed. So that I don't alienate any readers who think that revelation has ended, I will simply state that I believe the Holy Spirit has ILLUMINATED for me this previously unrevealed mystery. Most all believers accept the premise of Holy Spirit illumination. So, whether it is revelation or illumination is not important. The important aspect is progressive knowledge of the meaning of scriptural passages provided by the Holy Spirit supernaturally to the saints.
With this in mind let's take a look at the concept of transformation and the transformation of the saint by the gospel of grace. Paul wrote in Romans: (Rom 12:2) NRSV "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect." We can get clarification on this from the gospel of John. Joh 6:39-40 NRSV "And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. (40) This is indeed the will of my Father, that all who see the Son and believe in him may have eternal life; and I will raise them up on the last day." So let's answer an obvious question, renew the mind to what?
When Paul speaks of the mercies of God in verse one of Romans twelve, he is referring to the gospel of grace. Let me reiterate here something I state over and over in this blog. The gospel of grace IS the gospel of the kingdom, it is the gospel of God, it is the gospel of Christ and there is NO OTHER GOSPEL! I have also answered the question about what is the perfect will of God the Father. It is to believe the gospel of grace! That is a given in light of John 6:39-40.
Now, let's look at metamorphosis. It comes from the Greek word METAMORPHOO which is the word translated as transform in Romans 12:2. So then, to be transformed is to undergo metamorphosis. Let's look to the caterpillar. It does not will itself to be a butterfly. It goes through a process of metamorphosis and becomes a butterfly as its nature changes from being a creepy-crawly to a beautiful winged insect, able to soar. It is not the caterpillar that causes the transformation it is a source outside itself.
This is an excellent metaphor for the transformation of the saints of God from creepy-crawly creatures to beautiful winged creatures able to soar to the heights. But, what is the operation of the metamorphosis? How does the Holy Spirit transform the saint? The answer is with the gospel of grace! When one hears that they are forgiven, PAST, PRESENT,and FUTURE, this causes a complete and restful peace with God. It then transform into a deep and abiding love for God. This is how the metamorphosis works. It does not work by a read and do mentality. That is Satan's lie passed on by unwitting anti-Christs. The accuser of the brethren does so to try and destroy the catalyst for metamorphosis.
Why don't we grasp and receive this all important mystery? It shows that the saint, whether seasoned or a babe needs to hear the gospel of grace rehearsed over and over and over and over and over again!
Singing... when will they ever learn, when will they ever learn?
Link to Part 2
https://paradigmshift-jmac.blogspot.com/2019/10/transformation-metamorphosis-gospel_20.html
I began this blog in 2009 to chronicle my paradigm shift. It came about because I was concerned with the way that current evangelical dogma caused such bondage and fear. I had grown tired of people manipulating others for power, prestige, and to perpetuate a system that was very likely incorrect, and had been developed after the first century to keep people under control. I dedicate this to those who have been victims of spiritual abuse, and for those who have not yet realized they are.
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