The Key To Transformation
“Then they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)
God Doesn’t Want Your Best
That line may surprise you: God doesn’t want your best. He doesn’t want a polished, “gooder” version of you.
What He wants is far greater: all of you infused with all of Him.
“For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” (Colossians 3:3–4)
Jesus didn’t come to improve us—He came to transform us. Not behavior modification, but resurrection life.
From Conforming to Transforming
Conforming tweaks behavior; transforming changes nature.
When Jesus turned water into wine, the jars didn’t change shape—their nature changed. That’s what Christ does in us.
Too often, we reduce Christianity to self-improvement, making it about our performance. But the gospel is not about what we do for Him; it’s about what He does through us.
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Power
Acts shows us what happens when Christ lives through His people. The council marveled at Peter and John: “They were astonished… they were just ordinary men with no training. Then they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)
That’s the key to transformation—not knowledge, training, or ability, but time with Jesus. His presence changes us so profoundly that the world takes notice.
So transformed were the early believers that their enemies accused them of “turning the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6)
That same Spirit lives in us. Are we turning the world upside down—or are we just trying to stay in bounds?
Rules vs. Relationship
Paul warned the Galatians: “Did the Spirit come as a reward for keeping laws? No, you received him as a gift because you believed.” (Galatians 3:1–3)
Faith is not about checking boxes. Like basketball, the purpose isn’t simply “stay in bounds”—it’s to play the game and win. The lines only define the court.
Christianity is not about rule-keeping but life-receiving.
Filled with the Spirit
How do we walk in all Jesus has already paid for? By faith—by asking.
Ephesians 5:18 gives two commands: “Do not get drunk with wine… but be filled with the Spirit.”
We often emphasize the first and neglect the second.
Yet God never commands without supplying the means.
“He comes as a Father, who gives what He asks, and works what He commands.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23–24; Philippians 2:13)
Reflection
Where have you reduced faith to self-improvement instead of transformation?
How might you let Christ’s life, not your best effort, be the source of your strength?
What would it look like for others to recognize that you’ve been with Jesus?
Prayer