We should not think that we are automatically transformed. Although many have been Christians for over fifty years, they have remained the same – there has been no change, no transformation. This shows that their Christian life is dead. When we are dead, disintegration and decay set in, and growth and change are totally absent. If your child remained at the same growth level for fifty years, you would surely worry and wonder, “What is wrong with my child?” You would see the doctor to find out the problem.
Children are always progressing, from kindergarten to college. They are constantly changing and learning new things. What about God’s children – is it normal that nothing changes in them? Even in my old age, I strive for transformation and want to go forward. As long as I am still alive on this earth, I need more and more transformation. Over the next four years, I need to be further transformed. Every day, every month, every year should be used for this purpose. It should worry us greatly if our Christian lives do not change for the better. If you are a Christian who does not change, you cannot go forward; you are stuck and cannot exercise the priesthood. Like God’s people in Malachi, you will worship the Father according to the old traditions.
Jacob’s transformation is not something theoretical, not a doctrine. It is about the Lord’s desire that each one of us be transformed more each day, week, month and year. Be one with the Lord in this and tell Him, “Lord, change me. I don’t want to stay the way I am. I don’t want evil things in my heart. I want to purge them out! Lord, show me how to do that and strengthen my inner man.” Don’t let the Lord go so easily, or you will not change. If you want to change, you must work with the Lord. If you want to pass the final exam in school, you must work hard and study for it, or you may not make it. To be glorified, we need a desire for further transformation. In doing so, we gain more of Christ, more glory, more expression, more reality and substance, so that we can see the transformation ourselves and others can see it as well. Paul spurred Timothy on so that his progress would be evident to all. (cf. 1 Tim. 4:15). If people cannot see change in us, we have not changed. May the Lord put this concern on our hearts.
When we read, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated,” we are to realize that the Lord is speaking to us. Do not think that it is enough if you have only heard of transformation. What good is it if you know about it? The question is: Have you yourselves been transformed? The wife should tell her husband if he has changed, and the husband should tell his wife if she has changed. And parents should tell their children if they have changed. We in the church life must display a change for more glory and not a change for the worse.
The transformation happens through His love and our love for Him. Love is a significant factor for our transformation. If love is lacking, it is difficult to change. Because of His great love, He continually saves us, changes us, and transforms us. To this day, there are still things in my life where I tell the Lord, “Lord, I want to change, please help me. Whatever it takes, change me until I am perfect.” We are to be perfect as He is perfect. It is necessary to be saved to the uttermost and sanctified completely – our entire spirit, along with our soul and body, in order to be holy and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (cf. 1 Thess. 5:23). I ask Him, “Lord, do your work on me – not after Your coming, but before Your coming.” The priesthood should know the love of God. If it is not so, it is easy for us to take offense, get angry, give up and leave. In your family, when you are scolded by your father, or when you don’t like something, do you also just leave? If you are Esau, strong in your self and quick to take offense, you are in danger of selling your birthright and losing your inheritance.