Darrow Miller and Friends

Only God Transforms; Only God Deserves the Glory

“Transformation” is a current hot topic in the church and in missiological circles. In general Christian usage, the concept reflects a movement from darkness to light – from individual and societal brokenness caused by sin toward the healing of that brokenness. This healing expresses itself in the relative presence of God’s Shalom – relative to the degree that God’s will is done.

Unfortunately, I think this concept is often presented from an unbiblical perspective. Specifically, there is an emphasis in current literature and in conferences that by doing certain things, churches, missionaries, Christians, etc. can – by their actions – cause movement from brokenness to healing. The actions proposed are generally projects that address general or specific expressions of brokenness such as poverty, human trafficking, abortion, etc. While such efforts are good, the current dialogue tends to suggest that it is our actions that bring about the changes we would love to see.

My reading of Scripture presents a subtle but I think crucially important difference. In brief I see the difference this way:

1. The personal and societal brokenness which results from sin is so complex and deep that it is beyond human solution. In other words, the best human wisdom and skills cannot in and of themselves result in biblical healing/transformation.

2. Biblical healing is supernatural and requires God’s supernatural intervention.

This intervention is both promised and conditional. First, it is conditioned on God’s people (note: not all people) acting in obedience, i.e., living the way God asks/commands. Second, it is promised. To the degree that His people live in such a way as to reflect his will/His character the shalom of His Kingdom will come.

This is one thing we learn from the Lord’s Prayer, “…thy kingdom come,” How? “thy will be done.” When? Now! Where? “On earth as it is in heaven.” This reading of Scripture doesn’t discourage human action but recognizes that our healing comes not from our action, but from God in response to our obedience. Our works are vitally important as a condition of God’s action. But we need to be aware that “transformation” is a result of God’s response to our obedience rather than of our good works. If we see transformation as a by-product of our efforts, we are at risk of glorying in our works rather than celebrating God’s initiative and thereby glorifying Him.

– Bob Moffit, co-founder of Disiciple Nations Alliance (This post is excerpted from Bob’s July newsletter at Harvest Foundation where he serves as president.)

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About 
Dr. Bob Moffitt serves as the executive director of the Harvest Foundation which he founded in 1981. Harvest works in 31 nations with a vision to see every member of every church sacrificially serving in their world as Jesus served in His. Bob is the author of If Jesus Were Mayor, published by Kregel in 2006 and now available in 13 languages. Bob also serves on the DNA Board of Directors and Global Leadership Team.

4 Comments

  1. Werner Mischke

    August 29, 2011 - 12:11 pm

    Bob Moffitt, Thank you for reminding us that is the supernatural work of God which transforms lives and communities. One of the verses I love that describe this is 2 Cor. 3:18 — “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” That phrase, “…For this comes from the Lord who is Spirit” absolutely confirms what you are saying. In our modern world we are way too impressed with our own ability to make things happen. It’s a form of idolatry. An interesting corollary to this is that people and communities actually gain honor and glory in the process of obeying Christ. God literally condescends through the coming of his kingdom and shares his glory with people. This transformation “from glory to glory,” is a reflection of that, isn’t it? One can see this from verses like Psalm 3:3, Psalm 57:8, John 17:22, Romans 8:21, Hebrews 2:10, Revelation 21:22–26. For a meditation on the phrase, “Awake my, glory…” (Psalm 57:8), see my blog at http://wp.me/p1NAQC-zI

  2. Ana Roncal

    August 31, 2011 - 9:44 am

    Dear Bob, greetings from Lima….

    I cannot but thank God for your word of confirmation about how much we need to go back to living real Christian lives, in continual repentance and restoration. I just came back from a personal retreat, and while I was expecting God to show me vision, He showed me how much correction I needed, how much I was lacking inner change and missing God’s perspective over my own heart. In these times of crisis and tribulation we cannot just continue our programs, or reduce “worldview” to a rational scheme to introduce people to “new concepts.” Reading your declaration this morning is a kind of restatement of what God has told me this past week.

  3. Paul Balasundaram

    September 2, 2011 - 8:29 pm

    Dear Bob

    Greetings from Hyderabad. 2 Chronicles 7:14-15 comes back again and again. We can never rob God of His glory. Paul

  4. Lynn Scrutton

    October 6, 2011 - 7:05 am

    “…but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind…” Romans 12:1, 2. It is all about God.

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