i love the Word of God! it’s so hard for me to pick my favorite scripture because, as a whole, the Bible is complete and excellent. certain scriptures stand out or reveal something to me as i study from time to time. a comparison came to me recently. this comparison is not necessarily doctrine, but an excellent thought for sure! i want to dig into the verse i was studying and compare it to another event in the Bible.
i use several sources as i journey through the Word each morning. one particular day i was looking at Romans 12:2. the entire chapter of Romans 12 is fantastic, and i have commented on it before. verse 2 reads, “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” (KJV, Tyndale 1987). while using biblehub.com for my reading, it listed Strong’s definition for transformed as transfigured (3339). the word transfigured sent my thoughts to a high mountain, where Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John (Matthew 17).
my first comparison between the Christians that Paul was ‘beseeching” and the events of the mount is that Jesus’ outward appearance changed. “his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light” (Matthew 17:2). there needs to be a change in our countenance that is obvious to everyone we associate with. you may not radiate physical light, but your attitude and demeanor should shine with the love of Christ.
secondly, Jesus suddenly found Himself in good company. “And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him” (Matthew 17:3). i have often wondered what this conversation entailed. perhaps they were discussing the coming events of Calvary. i like to imagine that the Almighty was peering through space and time to a burning bush or consuming a sacrifice and returning the hearts of a nation. either way, when Jesus was transfigured, He was in the presence of men of God. His conversation was definitely within the parameters of divine will. sometimes we are sent to reach the lost, convert, and disciple, but to maintain our “living sacrifice” of devotion, we must do our best to maintain Christian relationships.
my final comparison is that the on-lookers wanted to go to church. verse 4 says, “Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles.” those who followed Jesus and witnessed these events respond to a desire to return to this place again. by building tabernacles, they could testify to this location and come to worship. our testimony and the way we present ourselves should bring about a response in those around us. i cannot count the number of times i have heard testimonies from converts that they observed someone and “wanted what they had.”
our devotion to God and our worship have consequences. they transform our lives into the image of Jesus. the result of our transformation is the ability to discern (prove, Strong’s 1381) God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will (Romans 12:2). this discernment is practical as Christians to fulfill their Kingdom purpose “according to the proportion of faith” (Romans 12:6). we take the necessary steps to daily walk with God, and as our faith grows, it reflects in our efforts. “The inward inspiration and the outward deliverance must keep pace, and advance step by step together” (Ellicott’s Commentary). scripture may not validate these comparisons, but i’m not sure i ruffled anyone’s theology either. i apologize and chalk it up to my excitement if i did. i bless you in Jesus’ name!