New day, shall we continue our conversation?
Every human being was created with a body, a soul and a
spirit, where the spirit governs the soul and the soul the body; it is an inside
out system of governance.
But the one who is
united and joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. (1
Corinthians 6:17 AMP)
When we are united and joined to the Lord, what is popularly
termed as being saved, an inner change begins to take place, and we start to
experience a spiritual transfiguration. But that’s just the beginning.
In Philippians chapter two verses twelve and thirteen,
Apostle Paul writes,
continue to work out your
salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue
spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution
and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit
the name of Christ]. For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who
is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is,
strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to
fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure.
So, you have to continuously work out your salvation, it’s
not a one-stop-shop thing. It’s like going to the gym to workout but thanks be
to God, because you’re united and joined, you get your own personal trainer,
the Holy Spirit, who helps with the workout by working in you. Keep in mind,
for you to see any results, it’s imperative that you cooperate.
You must cultivate a “You are the Potter I am the clay” approach
towards your workout and not give your trainer attitude when He tells you to do
three sets of ten reps and you want to quit halfway through. You know how you behave
at the gym.
This is a different kind of workout, one that produces awesome
spiritual results when you follow the Trainer’s directions. You become whole, like the unnamed woman who
touched the fringes of Jesus’ tallit – her faith in the power of Jesus to save made
her whole. The wholeness of salvation is about living the abundant life here on
earth right now, in this present time, as it is in heaven (ref. John 10:10 &
Matthew 6:10).
Being in union with God in Christ, with His Spirit effectively
at work in you to strengthen, energize and re-create you produces a spiritual transformation
that emanates from inside out; an inner change that eventually becomes outwardly
visible where family, friends and even strangers can see.
Beloved, in Christ you are created anew with an eternal existence,
but you don’t recognize this truth. This is what Paul explained to the church
at Corinth,
Therefore if anyone is in
Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he
is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things
[the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new
things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. – 2
Corinthians 5:17 (AMP)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) becomes
unmistakably apparent as you are transfigured into a new creature in Christ.
But spiritual transfiguration is not an easy workout. At times it may involve an uphill hike, a climb that’s never easy to navigate, sometimes you’ll have to go through really difficult terrain or rough waters but always remember that you are never left alone, your personal Trainer is there to lead and to guide. Listen to Him.
During the transfiguration of Jesus, Peter was making a
suggestion and while he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them,
and God spoke saying, “This is My beloved
Son, with whom I am well-pleased and delighted! Listen to Him!”
So yes, you may want to suggest or create your own plan for
your salvation but discard it and listen to Him. His ways and thoughts are much
higher than yours (ref. Isaiah 55:8-9).
For who has known the
mind and purposes of the Lord, so as to instruct Him? But we have the
mind of Christ [to be guided by His thoughts and purposes]. – 1 Corinthians
2:16 (AMP)
Taking a little detour at this point to say, one of my
nieces will pack two large suitcases and a carry-on bag for a one-week trip,
this is just to let you know that we still have some more to unpack.
Beloved, being saved enables your transfiguration not just to secure a place in eternity but for an eternal existence right here right now but it also requires a reprogramming of your thinking – a mental reset.
Jesus said,
“Come to Me, all who are
weary and heavily burdened [by religious rituals that provide no
peace], and I will give you rest [refreshing your souls with
salvation]. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as
My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find
rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls. For My yoke is
easy [to bear] and My burden is light.” – Matthew 17:28-30
(AMP)
Go to Jesus and you will find rest
for you soul. Jesus did not say that you will find rest for your
spirit or your body, He said soul because that’s what He means. Jesus is
talking about resting mentally, in order to renew the mind.
Apostle Paul gives a reminder in Romans 12:2 (AMP),
be transformed and progressively
changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on
godly values and ethical attitudes]
It’s cleansing, getting rid of all the toxic thoughts and
beliefs that have clogged up your soul.
Paul wrote down the remedy in Philippians 4:8 (AMP),
whatever is true, whatever is
honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed
by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is
lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good
repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise,
think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and
implant them in your heart]
What do you think about? What has been burdening your mind?
You were not designed for yoke bearing.
Heavy burdens make the soul sick and when the soul is sick
it affects the body. Not my concept, I did not make that up, it’s biblical.
Beloved, I pray that in every
way you may succeed and prosper and be in good health [physically],
just as [I know] your soul prospers [spiritually]. – 3 John 1:2
(AMP)
The spiritual governs the physical. A healthy body is the
result of a soul that is prospering spiritually. You need to not conform to the
world’s way of thinking with its “superficial values and customs”.
Jesus secured a wonderful soul prospering rest for us at Calvary,
but it is up to you to truly grasp this wonderful truth and possess it. Right now,
it may all seem strange, mystical and out of your reach but it is not,
otherwise Jesus and Paul and John and Isaiah would not have told us how to
achieve it. Everything has already been provided beloved; you just have to own
it.
Spiritual transfiguration involves a new way of living, it’s
the Kingdom citizen lifestyle, it’s the new and living way in Christ that
Hebrews 10:20 (AMP) speaks of which He
initiated and opened for us through the veil [as in the Holy of
Holies], that is, through His flesh
Jesus Himself tells you that unless
a person is born again [reborn from above—spiritually transformed,
renewed, sanctified], he cannot [ever] see and experience
the kingdom of God. – John 3:3 (AMP)
Beloved, you are a citizen of His Kingdom, but you aren’t
enjoying the benefits of belonging because you do not recognize yourself as
such. Understand that accepting Jesus as your Saviour places you in union with
God and being in union with God confirms your identity.
Sadly, we have been taught that this life is only for the
life to come but that is not biblical.
Time and time again all we have heard from pulpit after
pulpit are messages of separation, intertwined with condemnation as sin is made our
identity.
This religious battering has filled believers with a sense
of guilt and worthlessness and widened the divide they feel between them and God.
Jesus did not promote judgment but mercy, grace, forgiveness and lovingkindness.
It’s not that He doesn’t hate sin, but He doesn’t view it as our core identity.
Jesus says, “I do not condemn
you go and sin no more” and Paul is adamant about God’s grace having
the power to release you from the grip of sin because of Jesus’ death and
resurrection.
You have a new identity, made right with God in Christ Jesus
(ref. 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Recognizing your transfigured self, empowers you to understand
that Jesus died to save every part of you, including your soul.
Spiritual transfiguration inside out is evident when you
begin to experience the reality of Kingdom Life. It is not unattainable but closer
than you probably think. Luke 17:21 (AMPC) records Jesus as saying that the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among
you [surrounding you].
Spiritual transfiguration inside out is evident when you can
boldly declare, it’s no longer I who live but Christ lives in me (ref. Galatians 2:20).
Spiritual transfiguration inside out is evident when you come
to the realization that you are the light of [Christ
to] the world (ref.
Matthew 5:14-15)
Spiritual transfiguration inside out is evident when you know
that you were not given a spirit of
timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a
spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal
discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and
self-control] (ref. 2 Timothy 1:7 AMP)
Get into the habit of filling your mind with, and meditating on, things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious; focus on the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; centre your thoughts on things to praise, not things to curse.
Beloved, determine to put into practice whatever you learn from Spirit, what you hear as you listen. Read the truth of God’s Word and stand under it until you understand it. Let His Word, written (logos) and spoken (rhema), govern your life. And God, who makes everything work together for your good, will work you into his most excellent life altering harmonies.
Prepare to experience the ultimate change, a spiritual
transfiguration inside out.
Amen †
Shelley Johnson “Spiritual Transfiguration Inside Out” ©2026
January 20, 2026
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