The Current World Situation 

People are tired of doing all they can to survive, with their own strength, hence becoming self-centered and having a little empathy toward others. Shortly, SURVIVAL MODE: ON. Some people have certain privileges, some unfortunately don’t. The recent pandemic has shown us how fragile humanity is and how powerless we are despite the latest tech and invention there are in the world.

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you:” Romans 12:1 MSG

We need God. We do really need Him. The bible says, “but when you live separated from me you are powerless.” (John 15:5 TPT). Alkitab Terjemahan Baru menuliskan, “sebab di luar Aku kamu tidak dapat berbuat apa-apa.”

Two separated “worlds” – spiritual and the worldly realm; Christianity and reality – have become more real than before, as if the two are not meant to be connected. Less people still believe in the power, hope, relevance & love of God and the church. On the other hand, more believers are losing their hope, faith, and identity, hence losing their power to be the influence and impact for the world.

The Bible says, “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life— and place it before God as an offering.” Romans 12:1 MSG. “To surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship.” Romans 12:1 TPT. The bible has given us clear direction and understanding. Our ordinary and everyday lives should be an offering to God. Meaning, it is real, yet also spiritual. There are no two worlds, no separated worlds. God is here, God is there, He’s omnipresent and everything belongs to Him. Living our daily lives are supposed to be an expression of worship toward God. 

What’s Next, then?

“Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him.” Romans 12:1 MSG

Thankfully, it all started with God and His love. He loved us first, only then we loved him back. The God who holds the universe in place knows all that is true about us, yet He loves us enough to die for us. How could life ever be meaningless again? This is the strong foundation we shall stand upon.

“Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking.” Romans 12:2 MSG

“Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you.” Romans 12:2 TPT (or “Don’t be squeezed into the mold of this present age.”)

Paul uses the Greek word aion which means “spaces of time” or “present time.” The Aramaic word carries the same idea but it is much deeper in meaning. The Aramaic word is ‘alma, which means “to surround” like being surrounded in time. Paul is warning us not to be conformed to this world surrounded by time, this temporal world coming to an end. We are not to be squeezed into the mold of this world system that is falling apart.

We are called to be the salt and light of the world. Using the current term, we are supposed to be the influencers – KOL (key opinion leaders) of the world, not the other way around. The identity and source of power behind every believer are the eternal and unconditional love and resurrection power of Jesus Christ working within and through their daily lives. It’s surely not coming from the temporal world with all of its limitations. 

The True Transformation

“Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out.” Romans 12:2 MSG

“but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think.” Romans 12:2 TPT

The true transformation can only happen through an encounter with God – His love, truth and power that touch and change our heart inside out. Our heart and mind are always the first to change, the rest will then follow.

“Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” Romans 12:2 MSG 

“This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.” Romans 12:2 TPT

The vision of every believer is to become like Christ. And in the process, we are spreading the love, the hope, the faith, the truth of Jesus – spreading the true salt and turning on the true light – be it our home, school, workplace, neighborhood, etc.

The end game is “To be transformed into God's image and empowered to transform the world.” This is the calling, the vision of Transformation Church. And our mission is “Empowering a generation of transformers to be the influence and impact for the world.” Transformed people will transform people. Every journey begins with a single step. Today, will you take the first step toward a transformed life and let God transform you from the inside out? Let’s join us and walk this journey together.