Transformed In Christ

Although Paul used language similar to the religions and cultures of his time, he had a unique understanding of the “mystery” of God. The once-hidden plan of God was revealed and fulfilled in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Saul of Tarsus experienced a fundamental change when he encountered the risen Jesus on the road to Damascus. This vision gave him new direction and purpose and profoundly changed his understanding of God’s plan for humanity. Paul often uses the phrase “in Christ” or its variations to describe this plan. Being in Christ results in transformation into Christ’s likeness of holiness and love through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Those in Christ form a new community that crosses ethnic barriers, is bound together in fellowship with the Triune God, and fulfills its purpose of holiness before him. Paul’s answer to the struggles people face is simple: when one is united with Christ by dying to the old self and committing to his supremacy, one will find victory over any force opposed to us in this world. This book explores one of the most profound claims in the New Testament that demands a response of its readers.

Is your faith countercultural?When he wrote his first epistle to the church in Corinth, Paul wanted to address two cultural issues that the Christians in the city were wrestling with: prosperity and entertainment. He urged the young believers struggling in the midst of Graeco--Roman society to live lives shaped by Christ. Believers today are not immune to these same worldly temptations the Corinthian church was facing.In Transformed in Christ: 1 Corinthians, Ron Elsdon and William Olhausen show us how Paul uses the cross to define the distinctive patterns of life and behavior which Christians are called. The transformation that comes from cross--shaped wisdom is not a singular moment in a believer's life, but a continual process of refinement. The result is a living, countercultural faith marked by discernment, wisdom, and love.

In the ancient disciple-rabbi relationship, the disciple would follow the rabbi so closely that he would be covered in the dust kicked up from his rabbi's feet. Thousands of years later, though we walk on roads of pavement and not dust, we are still called to be disciples—to follow our Rabbi, Jesus Christ, so closely that we are covered with his life, changed, and made new. Into His Likeness provides an approachable but in-depth exploration of how to live as a disciple and experience the transformation Jesus wants to work in our lives. We might desire to live more like Christ, but we know we fall short. This book simply helps us follow those initial promptings of the Holy Spirit, so that we may more intentionally encounter Jesus anew each day and be more disposed to his grace changing us ever more into his likeness.

Recognized as a modern spiritual classic and perhaps Dietrich von Hildebrand's greatest work, this sublime and practical study gives a penetrating analysis of the true path to holiness for those who love Christ. The first requisite is the person's desire for change, and with that fundamental attitude in mind, von Hildebrand devotes a chapter to each of the successive spiritual attitudes necessary for those who strive for Christian perfection. The Beatitudes are treated with beauty and depth in an uncompromising challenge to every serious Christian to put into practice these teachings of Christ. "A magnificent treatise by a distinguished philosopher on the pursuit of spiritual perfection." -Publishers Weekly "A major contribution to the only important question: the transformation of our soul in Christ." -Archbishop Fulton Sheen "A masterpiece of modern spirituality: eminently practical and highly recommended." -Fr. John Hardon, S.J. "A solid and penetrating analysis of the Christian virtues, and their application in the struggle toward Christian perfection." -Library Journal

Foundational to the New Testament understanding of Jesus is Jeremiah's promise of a "new covenant," the promise that God will transform our very hearts. In this important new study, David Peterson expounds Jeremiah?s oracle and its influence on the New Testament, as well as its relevance for New Covenant life today.

God's Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness You are never beyond the reach of God's grace. Neither are you ever beyond the need of God's grace. Without grace we'd never come to Christ. But being a Christian is more than just coming to Christ, it's about growing and becoming more like Jesus. This pursuit of holiness is hard work, and as we enter into this discipline, we sometimes lose sight of grace. Jerry Bridges helps us steer clear of this disastrous distraction, offering a clear and thorough explanation of the gospel and what it means to the believer. Explore how the same grace that brings us to Christ also grows us in Christ. Includes full study guide (which was previously sold as a stand-alone discussion guide, ISBN 9781576839904).

trans•for•ma•tion tran(t)s-f?r-’ma-sh?n NOUN A marked change, of something or someone, usually for the better. Nature provides an amazing example of a transformation. A butterfly’s life begins as an egg that becomes a larva. At its appointed time, a caterpillar breaks out and then begins to eat, and eat, and eat. Then the caterpillar spins a thread into a shell-like covering around its body. Inside this cocoon, the caterpillar changes into a pupa. The pupa grows into a beautiful, colorful, and graceful butterfly. People also go through transformations. From conception until death, we go through a series of changes. Once conceived, the life cycle stages begin and progress to produce a newborn baby. The baby grows and becomes a toddler, which then matures into an adolescent. Adulthood follows, and the process continues through mid-life through to old age. This experience is a natural transformation. There is also a spiritual transformation that we all should go through. This alteration involves changing on the inside and revealing it on the outside. You go through a conversion from living a worldly lifestyle to living a Christian life that is pleasing to God. You should desire and seek to achieve this spiritual makeover with all of your might. Many will confess to being a Christian, but are they really like Christ? You can’t just name it and claim it. You have to live it. To be a Christian means to be Christ-like. you must learn to live like Christ, to love like Christ, forgive like Christ, even bless like Christ, etc. Some may say that living a Christian life is easier said than done. Why is that so? I think mainly because we have inherently conformed to this world, and this world promotes pretty much everything except Christian living. Sadly, the vast majority of those who call themselves Christians in these last days are as far from Christ as they can possibly be. They think they are living for Jesus with all of their wickedness and false doctrines and evil lifestyles. I believe that people want this transformation but are not too willing to take the necessary steps to make this process change. This change isn’t always easy, but it is absolutely obtainable. You may ask, “What is required to live a Christian life?” The answer is in the Holy Bible. Transformation—Living a Christian Life can be summed up with one Bible verse: “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” (Rom. 12:2). Many have conformed to the ways of the world. They need a renewing of their mind. They need to get back in alignment with the will of God. This book’s purpose is to reunite you with God, His Word, and His will for your life, which is good and acceptable and perfect.

This book looks into what is true active pleasing faith of a Christian that will make us ready for Jesus when He comes. It includes a uniquely wonderful divine revelatory timeline which reveals that there are two Passover Night's during the Passion of the Christ - and how this is amazingly connected to the soon transformation of Christians in this chosen generation! This divinely inspired timeline developed over a seven year period, and is called The Dual Passover Night Timeline. The book also shares the ups and downs of being a watcher in the watching community on social media, and the lessons we should learn from it.