(Matthew 17:1-2 KJV) And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, {2} And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John; His face shone as the sun. Jesus was seen outwardly as He is inwardly. This change is what should also happen in our lives; we should be seen outwardly as we are inwardly.

What is this change and where does it take place?

(2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV) But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

(2 Corinthians 4:1-7 KJV) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; {2} But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. {3} But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: {4} In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. {5} For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. {6} For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. {7} But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Change in the Believer

In verse 4, we see that the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who believe not. The change that happens in our lives begins in the mind, where we think.

Just as a baby does not understand everything when it is born, we, as believers, we are not saved knowing everything God has done for us. We learn things as we take knowledge into our mind and think about.

We need to understand what God is doing today, what He expects of us and what He has done for us so He can work through us. These are the things that affect the details of our lives and we learn about them through sound doctrine in the scripture.

God commanded the light to shine out of darkness, that light has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God. That word "light" has to do with understanding. The Bible tells us that the Spirit of God is given unto us so that we can understand the things that God has prepared for us. Since understanding takes place in the mind we need to study the scriptures and think about the things we read. As we understand what God has done for us, we begin to change the way we think and how we view things begins to change.

(2 Corinthians 4:7 KJV) But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.

Often when we try to live a changed life it is like someone drowning or in quicksand; the more one fights and struggles and try within themself to get out the quicker they go down. But like in the Tarzan movies, when someone is in the quicksand and another comes along and offers a stick, the one sinking just grabs on and lets the other person do all the work. This is the way it is in salvation and our walk with the Lord by grace. Often we, as believers, think that we can accomplish the end-result of the fruit that should occur in the life of a believer through our own effort but fail miserably. We become frustrated because of the sin we produce in our lives. The Christian walk is only going to be accomplished in us as God works in us by His grace through the Spirit.

What we need to do is get into the scriptures and find out the mechanics of what God has done for us, how He has changed us. Remember, 2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that we are a new creature in Christ Jesus. We need to understand how different we are in Christ. For instance, when we study the facts of spiritual circumcision, we understand that a real change has happened in us and it affects the way we live.

We need to begin to believe that information and allow it to change the way we think; so that we do not try to live for the Lord but we allow Him to live through us. It is His faith, His faithfulness His fidelity that will do the work in us. God does not want us to do it for Him.

(2 Corinthians 3:5-6 KJV) Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our sufficiency is of God; {6} Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

When we try to live for God through our own efforts we do it by the letter of the law rather than allowing the Spirit to work through us. We need to change our thinking and live God's way. As we study the scriptures and appropriate sound doctrine, we learn how God has equipped us so that we can walk in all God has provided for us so that we will not stumble and walk in the flesh.

(2 Corinthians 4:10-11 KJV) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. {11} For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

Remember, Matthew 17:1-2, how Jesus was transfigured; that is, His essence, that glory of who He is inwardly, shone outwardly and it could be seen by those around Him. As believers, we should have a similar change, so that others can see who we really are outwardly.

(Galatians 4:19 KJV) My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,

The phrase "be formed" is the same word that is used in Matthew 17 for "transfigured". This is referring to the change that happens in believers as they begin to understand sound doctrine and allow that doctrine to work out in their lives as they allow God to work in them.

(Romans 12:1-3 KJV) I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. {2} 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. {3} For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Paul tells us to be transformed. How? By the renewing of our mind. Paul is talking about having our minds changed, renewed, transformed.

The word "transformed" is the same word that is translated "transfigured" in Matthew 17. It has the idea of being changed. It is the Greek word: "metamorphoo", this is where we get the word "metamorphosis", something that transforms, changes.

As Christ showed His essence outwardly, a transformed saint begins to change outwardly as he reads and understands sound doctrine. The moment we got saved, a change happened to us inwardly but was not seen outwardly. As we begin to learn and understand all that God has provided for us our thinking begins to change. As time goes on, the outward presentation of the believer should begin to change and reflect who we are inwardly as we start to think differently about who we are in Christ.

Remember, God the Holy Spirit will not force Himself on anyone. We still are responsible before God for who we are and we need to make the choice not to sin. Now have the wherewithall by the grace of God and that change He made within you through spiritual circumcision to make the right choice. This change in the believer should be ongoing, not just occurring the moment one is saved.

Paul, in Romans 12, is talking to brethren, those who are already saved. He is telling us what should be happening in the life of a believer and that we should think soberly.

(Proverbs 23:6-7 KJV) Eat thou not the bread of him that hath an evil eye, neither desire thou his dainty meats: {7} For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.

The idea we can get from this Proverb is what dominates a persons mind, that is, what they understand and how they think, is going to be like the rudder that sets them in the direction they will go. This is the reason we need to have our minds renewed; we need to begin to think the way God thinks. We need to be able to understand doctrine the way God does.

Changes in Others

(2 Corinthians 11:13-15 KJV) For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. {14} And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. {15} Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

There is another type of transformation that believers need to understand. The word translated "transformed" in 2 Corinthians 11 is not the same word used Romans 12:2 and Matthew 17:2. This word is "metaschematizo" which means to disguise. These false apostles are disguised, they appear to have all the appearance of so-called Christianity outwardly but the doctrine they teach is not of God. These false apostles disguise themselves outwardly to hide what they are inwardly.

We, as believers, can also be disguised. We are made a new creature, God has made us totally different so that we function now in a way that we never could have before yet we live our lives the same way we did before we got saved. It is possible to live our lives in such a way that we do not reflect who we really are inwardly as that new creature. We can put on that disguise, walk in the flesh and look like any other unbeliever.

As believers, we need to allow that which is inward, who we are in Christ, begin to have its expression in our outward presentation in its totality so that we reflect the nature of Christ.

Satan and his ministers try to appear to be ministers of Christ but they are really wolves in sheep's clothing. You cannot imitate what only Christ can perform in you. If you try you will have the manifestation of the flesh, which is sinful activity.

We ought to allow our state, how we walk in life, to be brought up more closely to our standing in Christ, who we are in Christ. We should allow the Lord to change us inwardly in our understanding through sound doctrine. As our minds are renewed, we begin to walk and live our lives outwardly to reflect who we are in Christ. God will be glorified when it is Him not us.

How Does this Happen?

(Ephesians 3:14-21 KJV) For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, {15} Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, {16} That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; {17} That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, {18} May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; {19} And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. {20} Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, {21} Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Paul prays that we be strengthened in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in our hearts by faith. This happens in our mind, where we think, where we make decisions, where we decide whether we will do right or wrong. We are strengthened as we renew our mind and change the way we think. It is because of His grace and the way we are equipped we can make the right choice. We have the power in the doctrine that is inherent in the gospel so that we can do the right thing.

God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all we ask or think according the power that works in us. What power is that? Remember Paul said in Romans chapter 1, "I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ." Why? "For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth." The power of God is in the gospel; it is in the outworking of that gospel not only to save but to work and change the believer from the inside out.

Often we think that we need to tell people how to live outwardly. But if they do not want to live by grace, we cannot make them outwardly conform to what we think they should be. If we are going to have an outward expression that is glorifying God, it has to happen as an outworking of the grace of God in one's life working from in out. It is the grace of God that brings salvation that teaches us how to live (Titus 2:11-12).

The Result

When we look at Paul's prayers, we see what he wanted to have in the lives of believers; his concern is for believers go forward from where they were, that they begin to grow and take on an understanding of doctrine so that it has an effect in their lives. This is what happens when Christ is living in you and is able to do what He wants to do through you.

(Colossians 1:9-11 KJV) For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; {10} That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; {11} Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;

Paul wants us to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Why? Because it will change the way we walk.

A lot of times, people ask for prayer so that they will know the will of God for them. But it is already revealed for us in the written word of God, all we have to do is read it and believe and practice it. If you allow that doctrine to work in you then you will walk in His will as we appropriate that doctrine in our lives.

(Ephesians 2:22 KJV) In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

There is building going on, God is desiring to do something actively in the lives of believers. God wants changed, transfigured saints; so that that which we really are inwardly, our identity is in Christ, will be reflected in our outward life, in the decisions we make, what we do and how we act.

God's Spirit wants to be at home in us (habitation). The scriptures talk about the Spirit dwelling in us. This not mean that He exists in us but that He will be at liberty to accomplish in you what He wants. It is like when someone comes to visit you and they feel at ease to make themselves at home to do what they need to do while they are there, they do not feel restrained or bound.

(2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV) Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

We have true liberty when the Spirit has liberty in our lives to do what He needs to accomplish. We are builded together a habitation of God through the Spirit. God wants to do the living through us.

(Ephesians 4:17-19 KJV) This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, {18} Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: {19} Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Paul does not want us to be like other Gentiles. Remember how we read that the god of this world has blinded the minds of those who do not believe. Paul is saying that we should not be ignorant of what God has done for us. We should not walk in the vanity of our minds.

(Ephesians 4:20-23 KJV) But ye have not so learned Christ; {21} If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: {22} That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; {23} And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

Paul says that we have not learned Christ. How do we learn? We learn with our mind. We need to change the way we think; we need to allow the word of God to renew our mind. We begin to learn what God is doing through His word.

Paul says that we have been taught, again, this is the learning process through the mind. We need to be renewed in the spirit of our mind. Our biggest enemy is ourselves, you and your flesh. Often we want to blame Satan for all our troubles and for every thing we do wrong. But, as believers, we need to take responsibility for who we are. We have been given all we need by God to do the right thing. We need to start doing what God would have us to do. We will reap the natural consequences of our sinful activities. Take responsibility for what you do.

(Ephesians 4:24-32 KJV) And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. {25} Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. {26} Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: {27} Neither give place to the devil. {28} Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. {29} Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. {30} And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. {31} Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: {32} And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

We can do these things by His grace, with the power that is inherent in the gospel. The scriptures tell us that He who has begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Christ. He will finish in us what He started. The change that needs to take place in us can take place as we begin to allow sound doctrine to teach us and we allow Him to change us so that inward man (new creature) begins to show outwardly and we become transfigured saints.

Reference:
My notes from teaching by David Bethea and KJV rightly divided