by Pastor Wendall Ward
Unveiling the Divine Nature Within
“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.” -Psalm 42:1 The inner transformation many believers hunger for is a profound spiritual journey that unfolds through our interaction with the Word and the Spirit (John3). It is a relationship in which we drink from the divine nature of Christ within us. It is not a superficial change or merely following the rules. Rather, it is a deep, inward work that renews our thoughts, reshapes our character, and redirects our actions, lining them up with divine truth and godliness.
Interaction with the Word and Spirit
The Word serves as the foundation and guiding light in the process of transformation. As we dig into its truths, it acts as a mirror, revealing to us the areas in need of change while providing the wisdom to live the Christian life. And the Spirit, on the other hand, breathes life into the Word, allowing its truths to enter deep in our hearts. It is this merging of the eternal Word with the living Spirit that ignites the transformative process, making what is written understood in the depths of our understanding.
The Divine Nature of Christ
To be transformed is to allow the divine nature of Christ to change us. The transformation from faith to faith is not a passive experience; it is an active participation with the Christ who lives within us. His divine nature is characterized by love, grace, truth, humility, and wisdom—qualities that grow more evident as the old self gives way to the new creation in Christ. The apostle Paul describes this as being “conformed to the image of His Son,” a process where the essence of Christ is increasingly reflected in our belief and behavior.
From Faith to Faith
Proverbs 15:24 seems to describe this journey of inner transformation as an growing from one level of faith to another, “The way of life winds upward for the wise, that he may turn away from hell below” (NKJV). The Apostle Paul describes it as an “upward call” (Phil 3:14). Faith acts as the bridge between our current state and the divine potential that lies within us. It requires surrender, trust, and an openness to the workings of the Spirit.
Each step upward, each moment of growth, is a testament to the ever- increasing manifestation of Christ within us. It is a journey of becoming, where we move from glory to glory, unveiling more of the Christ who dwells within.
Manifestation of Christ Within
The ultimate goal of inner transformation is the manifestation of Christ within us. This is not only for our benefit. But through it the world will see the reality of Christ through our lives. Our words, actions, and attitudes become a testimony of His presence. The more we are transformed, the more we reflect His character. It is an ongoing process. This transformation continues throughout our lives. The Christ within us is revealed in ever greater measure.
In Conclusion
To sum up, inner transformation is a sacred journey. It is a harmony between divine truth and the active work of the Spirit in us. Consisting of the unfolding of Christ’s nature within, it is a continuous progression. As we change from faith to faith we reveal the profound reality of the divine nature within us. Yielding to this process, we not only experience personal renewal. But we also become “vessels of honor” in the house of the Lord. Thereby bringing hope and transformation to the world around us.