A Worm With Wings?

I have often been fascinated by the question of the extent to which a "redeemed" human being is different from an "unredeemed" human. On the one hand, it is clear that the life of someone who has been restored to a relationship with the Father-Creator, of someone who has reconnected heart-to-heart with God, is fundamentally different. Living out a love-relationship with God through Christ is not just "sin management." In fact, an atheist can learn the disciplines that will make him or her a "better person." It's easy to conclude that our full redemption must wait until this sinful body is no longer a barrier. But if that was bottom line, why not advocate for pastor-assisted suicide?

That makes the words of Paul in Romans 12:1-3 even more interesting. The core of his message is this: "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" (verse 2). On the negative side, Paul tells us to not pattern our mind and character after the tendencies of this present age. In fact, our natural tendency is to do this very thing. Our default response is to discover current trends and adopt and adapt them. We so quickly and easily conform to current cultural values, perspectives and thought patterns. Instead, we are to be "transformed." Some of you are aware that the word behind this word is metamorphoo, the word that is the basis for the English metamorphosis. And that obviously brings up the story of the butterfly.

Have you ever wondered about the process, the one we call metamorphosis, that results in a butterfly? Is a butterfly really just a worm with wings? How different is the butterfly from the original caterpillar? So I googled it - and here's what I found: a caterpillar undergoes a "complete metamorphosis." The original "larva" is very different from the adult butterfly. It actually eats different kinds of food. The caterpillar grows very quickly and sheds its skin 4 or 5 times, but it still isn't a butterfly. Eventually the caterpillar stops growing and surrounds itself with a cocoon. Inside of the cocoon, the caterpillar releases special enzymes that literally dissolve the larval tissues. Special cells that were always present but dormant in the caterpillar now begin to grow, forming legs and wings and eyes. At the right time the full-grown butterfly emerges to fly and reproduce. The butterfly is clearly related to the caterpillar, sharing all the original DNA. But it is a very different creature. Metamorphoo literally means another form. 

So what does it mean to be transformed? The dynamic presence and influence of the Holy Spirit on and in a human person does not make them less human. In fact, it makes them more human. You see, humans were created to be more like butterflies than like caterpillars. But a process of metamorphosis, of transformation, must take place. The result is related to the original but is fundamentally different.

Paul goes on to say that we are to be transformed "by the renewing of your mind." "Renew" means "to be new again." The process of transformation takes place significantly in our minds. Our thinking must become new again. Our mental perspectives and attitudes must conform to the thought patterns of God as revealed in Scripture. And in so doing, our lives will be a growing demonstration of God's "good, pleasing and perfect will" (verse 3). 

The process of human transformation is not just a matter of mental gymnastics. Paul begins this section by urging us to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice" (verse 1). Our entire concrete selves are involved in redemption and in transformation. The very act of presenting our entire selves to God is an act of worship, the core of our commitment to and service of God. 

So is real transformation possible? If it isn't, Paul was messing with us by just bring it up. Transformation is the logical outcome of a restored connection to the heart of the Father. But transformation is so much more than sin management. We are destined to be so much more than a worm with wings. It is so much more than living by a list of external "dos" and "don'ts." A transformed life is very different from its former life. It shares the same DNA, but the original human "stuff" has now been metamorphozed into a beautiful butterfly.

Individuals can be transformed. And organizations can be transformed. Sometimes the biggest obstacle to real transformation can be a fear of change. And let there be no doubt about it: transformation will involve profound change. The result will bear little resemblance to the original. But the new found ability to fly will make it all worthwhile. 

What Does a Fruitful Life Look Like?

I don't mind saying that this year has been a season of an unprecedented (and sometimes challenging) time of growth for me. Have you ever wondered whether or not you will ever reach an age when you will have matured enough and you can just coast? (Spiritual retirement?) That thought is obviously foolish. In fact, I think this mortal adventure we're having is really Pre-School in the light of eternity, even for the most spiritually developed. It almost seems like every year takes my spiritual schooling for a new level - sometimes involving a proverbial "tool shed" experience.


There are several passages of Scripture that have been the focus of my reflection, repentance and reformation this year. One of the most important is the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30. I know! Everyone is very familiar with that passage! What can be so challenging? After all, haven't I taught, written and preached on that passage any number of times? Well, yes. But I find a new perspective on that ancient story is literally changing the focus of my life.


In a word: I find I have been identifying myself with the One-Bag Servant. 


This servant is known for one thing: digging a hole in the ground and burying the Master's bag of gold. Later, when called to account, this servant confesses that he was afraid of losing any of his Master's gold. He thought he would be in hot water if, when the Master returned, he was able to return less than what had been given to him. And he succeeded. He didn't lose anything that had been entrusted to him. The Master's investment in his life was in tact.


Maybe we should pause to describe how much a "talent" was worth in those days. A "talent" (Greek talanton) was equivalent to 20 years of wages. That's why some translations render this word a "bag of gold." A One-Bag Servant was a very wealthy man! (The Five-Bag Servant was given 100 years of wages.) In other words, every servant in God's Kingdom has been given great wealth to invest. The Master had "entrusted his wealth" to his servants.


So what was the Master expecting of his servants? I would think not losing any of his wealth would have been a good thing. What strikes me is the difference between the attitudes of the Five-Bag and the Two-Bag Servants and the One-Bag Servant. Jesus remarked that Mr. Five and Mr. Two "went at once and put his money to work." These two servants were known for (1) the urgency and immediacy of their response, and (2) their diligence in finding ways to make their bags of gold "work." And as a a result, they doubled the Master's investment. A 100% ROI! These servants were diligent, creative, faithful masters of enterprise. They were successful entrepreneurs, dedicated to the productive use of all the Master had entrusted to them. 

And what was the Master's response to their productivity? "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your Master's happiness." The Master (Jesus) characterized these two investors as "good and faithful." They had dedicated themselves to the good productivity of the Master's investment, and they had been faithful in carrying it out. As a result, they were to share in the Master's deep joy, a joy being experienced in the context of the servants' good faithfulness. I'm amazed that the Master remarked on the fact that he had put them in charge of a few things; even the great wealth being entrusted to them did not compare to the wealth to be entrusted to them (to manage) as a result of their faithfulness. 

So it was more than just the need to not lose the Master's investment. When Mr. One presented the Master's investment in tact, he made a fairly harsh statement. "I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed." The word "hard" (Greek skleros) literally means grasping, harsh, cruel, merciless, exploiting the labor of others. One commentator noted, "“He is virtually calling his master a vicious tyrant, a capitalist who takes for himself the harvest that others worked so hard on. In other words, he takes what he wants without caring who gets hurt in the process" (Grand Osborne, Matthew). He didn't think his Master needed his help increasing his wealth. After all, wasn't he wealthy enough already? He should be happy just getting his entire investment back!

But no! The master characterizes this servant as "wicked and lazy," the exact opposite of "good and faithful." He used his fear of the Master as an excuse, but in reality, he was just lazy. He reasoning was dishonest and irresponsible. At the very least, his commitment to being a faithful servant-investor would have led him to deposit his bag in the bank to earn interest. Instead, he was satisfied with just not losing anything. As a result, his one bag was taken away from him and given to Mr. Five - who was now Mr. Ten. 

The lesson rings loudly and clearly in my mind! The Master is looking for more than a level of faithful stewardship that protects his investment in our lives from loss. The Master is looking for - is committed to - a high level of productivity from our lives. He has given us all a very wealthy deposit - not just to enjoy or feel good about, but to multiply for the Master's use. That requires us to be honest about and appreciate the valuable gifts and resources he has put into our hands. Our response is then to begin immediately to explore effective ways to put that treasure to work so that it will achieve it's productive potential.

I'm reflecting on what that might mean for me. What does that mean for you?