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An
Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at
Creekwood |
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What a Change! One of
the most beautiful creatures in nature is the butterfly. Butterflies are gentle, peaceful, graceful, and adorn a
spectrum of vivid coloring, such as displayed by this Blue Morpho.
However, it is
interesting to note that in an earlier part of their lives, they are not
so attractive. So much so
that perhaps some caterpillars may be admired only by their mothers!
But during the course of their lives, an amazing transformation
called metamorphosis occurs. The
caterpillar is encased in a tomb of transformation, the cocoon.
Into the cocoon goes a creature that is clothed in ugliness.
Up out of the cocoon comes a transformed creature, one
exceedingly beautiful. And
as humbling as it may be, we do not fully understand how this
transformation happens. We
only know that it is wonderful, and that GOD does it. It
is God’s will that each of US also undergo a wonderful transformation! Due
to our sin, we are clothed in “ugliness” (see Isaiah 64:6) and
doomed for destruction (Romans 6:23). But God desires to cleanse us from sin (cf. 1 John 1:9) and
transform us into beautiful creatures.
It is not our outward appearance that is changed; the change
comes from the inside – out! The transformation begins when we submit our lives to Jesus Christ the Savior, who died on the cross for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). When we place our faith and trust in Jesus (Acts 16:30-31), turn from our sins in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confess Him before men (Romans 10:9-10), and are baptized (immersed) in His name, then our sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus. Into
the waters of baptism goes a creature that is clothed in ugliness. Then as we continue to walk in the light of God’s Word, the process of transformation continues.... We
participate with God in this process through our continued trusting
obedience. “And do not be CONFORMED to this world, but be TRANSFORMED [Gr.
metamorphoo] by the
renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and
acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). “Therefore,
if anyone is in Christ, he is a NEW CREATION; Won’t
YOU allow God to save you and make
something eternally beautiful out of your life through your trusting
obedience? -- Terry
Livingston & David
A. Sargent Church
of Christ at Creekwood To Subscribe to "Living Water" send a blank e-mail to:
HTML version: subscribe-livingwater@lyris.dundee.net Follow this link to locate the church of Christ nearest you: www.churchzip.com Archived issues of "Living Water" can be accessed from our website at: www.creekwoodcc.org
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