Derek Smith, Lead Pastor LHBC 

Romans 12:1-2 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Merriam-Webster’s online dictionary defines metamorphosis as “a typically marked and more or less abrupt developmental change in the form or structure of an animal (such as a butterfly or a frog) occurring subsequent to birth or hatching” It can also refer to a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances”. Whenever you hear the word metamorphosis the first thing that probably comes to mind is the scientific process where a caterpillar spins itself into a pupa, or chrysalis, then emerges weeks later as a beautiful butterfly. The butterfly doesn’t start out beautiful, in fact, it starts as an unattractive worm, but something magical, supernatural even, happens in that chrysalis. 

When you study what happens from the time a caterpillar hatches to the time it emerges from the pupa as a beautiful butterfly, it’s really interesting. After the caterpillar hatches it is now in the larvae stage, and it’s first job is to eat in order to be healthy. As it eats the leaves of the plant on which it was born the caterpillar grows to full maturity and prepares itself for complete transformation. In stage 3 it mummifies itself in that tightly wound cocoon and while inside the parts of the butterfly begin to take shape. When the butterfly emerges it now is a floating piece of artwork, and the first thing it does is immediately look to reproduce. 

The word Paul uses here for transformation is the Greek word from which we get our English word metamorphosis. Salvation is much like the stages of metamorphosis for the butterfly. When we trust in Christ we are hatched, born again, and this new life in Christ begins. At that point we are just larvae and our growth depends upon a healthy intake of the Word of God. As Paul says here our transformation comes by the renewing of our mind. As we grow to full maturity the beauty of Christ begins to show in our attitude and actions, and at full maturity we begin to reproduce, to make other new disciples as we share Christ with the world around us.  

Christ Jesus didn’t save you so that you would stay a caterpillar! He saved you to display his beauty and glory in this world. It’s only as we feed on the Word of God and enter the chrysalis and die to ourselves that we become His masterpiece. Then I am ready to invite others into this transformative relationship with Christ, to reproduce His righteousness in society. Don’t stay a worm! Be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you may discern the good and perfect will of God! 

PRAYER FOR TODAY: 

Father God, thank You for salvation. Apart from Your grace I am nothing more than a worm, but with Your grace I can display Your beauty like a butterfly. Lord, change my way of living and speaking through Your Word and Your Holy Spirit. Transform me today as I die to myself and come alive to Your will. In Jesus name, amen. 

MEMORY VERSE OF THE WEEK

PSALM 139:13-14

For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

 my soul knows it very well.