by Rebekah Harvey
The past two weeks in our Simple Truths Bible study we have been talking about identity. Our identity is how we are known and verified. Most everyone has probably had to present an ID card to prove that you are you at some point, whether cashing a check at the bank or checking in to board a plane.

After we receive Jesus as our Savior a Holy Spirit transformation begins in us. This is something that we must choose to participate with though, the transformation will not happen automatically.
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”

Our choice is to either conform or be transformed. We can allow ourselves to be made into the mold that the world has for us or we can choose to be transformed by renewing our minds through God’s Word. His Word is like a refreshing, cleansing shower that washes us clean. We need to shower regularly if we don’t want to become an offensive, stinky mess, especially in these hot days of summer. We can think of our transformation in Christ this way, we need regularly “washing” of our thoughts so that we are not offensive to God and those around us.

Humans are made in the image of God, we have been learning about the imago Dei the last few weeks in church. Genesis 1:27 “So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” As God’s creation we were not created with a sin nature, we were corrupted by sin and then it became our nature. This is the part of us that needs renewing, and cleansing so we can do God’s will.

As a new creation in Christ Jesus with a new nature, the book of Ephesians says we are no longer full of darkness and we should live as people of light, Ephesians 5:8 NLT “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light!” This light comes from the Word of God, that is why it is so important to spend time reading the Bible and memorizing scripture. It transforms us, cleanses us and fills us with the light that we need to live in a world full of darkness.