Transformation

The Bible was not written just for the people of today. We should give this some thought and consideration from time to time especially in those times when wondering why it is designed as it is. Think about it. In the early times there was no modern travel; education as we know it was non-existent, people were very superstitious, not much was known in the areas of science, etc. In the middle ages, knowledge greatly increased and civilization changed significantly. Of course in modern times we are now putting people on the moon and mankind has evolved to the point whereby now our hands look like a Blackberry device and our ear has an appendage that looks like a cell phone device.

The Bible was written in ancient times and yet is today’s best seller worldwide, (even beating out Harry Potter). God designed the Bible to be understood by the most ancient of civilizations down through the various civilizations of the middle ages and through our own modern era. Who knows, if the Lord allows it to go that long, in five thousand years our civilization might appear ancient and superstitious to mankind at that point in time and people will likely doubt the Bible from their perspective.

We can be assured however that the Bible is God’s word and true and the word of God will remain the same forever as will God. The last chapter of the Bible curses anyone who would try to change it in any way.

It is very difficult for some people to develop genuine faith in God and the Bible in spite of the fact that they may even have a genuine desire to acquire it. One reason is that in some instances “science” seems to contradict the Bible. I believe this is in part because basically it is impossible for God to fully explain some subjects to “any” civilization of any age. Let’s use as an example the complexity of His “Omni-attributes”, He is not bound by time and we are told that He always was, and is, and always will be. Huh? We are told that He is everywhere at once and a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His seeing it. Huh? We are told that He is all powerful and even the very hairs on our heads are numbered. (That would not be such a difficult feat for my brother-in-law’s shiny and balding head; however when one considers every person on the planet for all of time???)

Such concepts are strange to our limited mentality and must be taken on faith as we cannot build a logical scientific explanation to justify its truth. The same holds true with the creation story. How could the Bible be written is such a manner that ancient and modern day people could all understand the actual methods that God used to create all that He created. The Bible tells us in simple terms that God created it all. Imagine how big the Bible would be and what it would look like if He detailed how He actually created it including all of the complex algorithms, engineering designs, formulas, and powerful tools that He utilized to actually create the universe or life in general. If the Bible were designed in such a fashion imagine the size and volumes that chapter would have to be. It would probably take a hundred lifetimes just to “read” the creation story, (and then no-one aside from Him would understand it, especially those in ancient times that still thought the world was flat).

Two things stand out as helping to define my faith in God and remove doubt. One would be the Apostles of Jesus. Speaking of the Apostles, what do you suppose changed these men? When Jesus was arrested they were cowards and ran away and hid and denied even knowing Him; this after having traveled extensively and first-hand witnessing Him perform miracles including raising the dead, healing the sick, restoring vision to the blind, feeding 5000 people, calming storms at His command and walking on water.

What ultimately convinced and transformed them however; was that after the resurrection Jesus appeared to them for a while, talked with them, allowed them to feel His nail scarred hands and the piercing in His side where the spear was thrust, and then they watched as He ascended into heaven. After that appearance, to the person, the Apostles were emboldened to the point whereby they fearlessly preached the gospel which resulted in their own persecution including beatings, stoning, beheading and their own crucifixions. They were transformed from cowards into fearless evangelists to the point of actually becoming martyrs.

Second in binding my faith is my own life. My own life is ample testimony to me as to the power of God. Prior to becoming a Christian I was a complete wreck. I was very close to death. Drugs and alcohol and a hedonistic lifestyle had taken their toll on me and I was at a miserable point whereby suicide seemed very appealing and the only logical method of escape from my tortured existence. Soon after hitch-hiking into Atlanta, I ended up in a hospital and while recuperating from a serious car crash I read the Bible and accepted Christ as my Savior.

Today I have a wonderful life; I am far removed from my former lifestyle and my soul is no longer tortured. I could literally go on for hours describing how blessed that my life and my family’s lives are today. What changed me? The “only” difference in my life from my former self and now is that I used to not have God in my life and now I do. If you knew me both before and after Christ entered my life, you would be convinced too!

Admittedly I do not understand everything in the Bible, but I do understand enough to know that God loves me and He loves you. If we will turn to Him we can be transformed just as the Apostles were transformed. It is a powerful God that we serve. In a moment He can transform lives and change people dramatically. His Bible details how you too can be transformed and you can develop faith that will enable you to live a life filled with peace and sheer joy. Our lives, even when we become Christians, will not be “perfect” until Christ returns, but they will be far better than one could ever imagine. When Jesus returns they will then be made perfect.

Now admittedly it may be impossible to understand the concept of perfection exactly, and the same holds true for how God will make that happen, but it sounds mighty appealing to me and I for one believe it with all of my being.

Rev. 22:19
And if anyone takes away from
the words of the book of this prophecy,
God shall take away his part
from the Book of Life, from the holy
city, and from the things which are
written in this book.