Have you ever seen a sign at a business that reads something like, “Please excuse our mess. Reconstruction (or remodeling) in progress”? On the way to work over the last several weeks, I have seen a sign on a church building with a similar message. Whether the sign was meant literally or figuratively I do not know, but I did think of a spiritual meaning.
The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” No one who lives on the earth today is perfect. However, those who choose to obey the commands of Jesus and become Christians become new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17) when they are baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3-4). God does not expect new Christians to instantly be perfect in their behavior and knowledge of the Scriptures. Consider 1 Peter 2:2, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby.” Just as newborn babies cry for milk on a regular basis, Christians both new and mature in the faith should yearn for God’s Word. Immersing oneself in God’s Word promotes growth, just like a baby grows from drinking milk. Also like the growth of a young child, a diet of only milk will not satisfy for long. Eventually the child needs to eat solid food. Christians also must progress to “solid food.” The Hebrew writer stated in chapter 5 verses 13 and 14, “For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” An individual who has been a Christian for many years should have greater knowledge and practice more than the basics of Christian service. Those Christians who do not show growth and maturity are like a baby who does not grow and develop at a natural pace.
This process of growth in the faith is a type of spiritual remodeling as indicated by Romans 12:2. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Here Paul instructs Christians not to model themselves (conform) to the things of the world. Instead, Christians should transform themselves. The word transform comes from the Greek word we commonly know as metamorphosis (Strong’s Talking Greek-Hebrew Dictionary). Think about a caterpillar and a butterfly. The metamorphosis from one form to the other is a complete change, a significant remodeling of the physical body. Since the verse in Romans indicates the transforming process involves the “renewing of your mind,” instead of a physical metamorphosis, the Christian should go through a spiritual remodeling. Isaiah and Jeremiah use the analogy of a potter forming vessels from clay as a similar image to the transformation God’s children should undergo (Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18:6).
In Acts 3 and 4, Peter and John heal a lame man and preach about Jesus. In doing so, they incur the wrath of the religious leaders who throw Peter and John into prison until the next day. When the religious leaders begin questioning Peter and John, the leaders are amazed. “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Notice that the religious leaders acknowledge that Peter and John were changed because they had spent time with Jesus. Scriptures show that Peter transformed from impulsive and aggressive (Matthew 14:26-33; John 18:10) to patient and sober (cf. 1 Peter 5:1 and the qualifications of an elder, 1 Timothy 3:1-7). John transformed from a selfish and vindictive individual (Mark 10:35-37; Luke 9:53-54) to one whom Jesus entrusted with the care of His mother (John 19:26-27). John also became the author of 1 and 2 John, letters full of gentleness (addressed to “my little children” 1 John 2:1) and addressing the love of God and instructions for Christians on how to love one another (1 John 4:7-8; 2 John 1:5).
Just like Peter, John and many others in the New Testament, Christians today need to actively seek to transform their lives. The life of a Christian should be modeled after the example left by Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1; 1 Peter 2:2). The process is never ending; Christians must constantly perform self-evaluations to see what needs to be remodeled (2 Corinthians 13:5) and must continue until death (Revelation 2:10). Can you say about your life, “Remodeling in Progress?”
