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Reformation vs. Transformation

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AVBunyan

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I think people are confusing transformation with reformation.

Reformation - 1. The act of reforming; correction or amendment of life, manners, or of any thing vicious or corrupt; as the reformation of manners; reformation of the age; reformation of abuses

Transformation - The act or operation of changing the form or external appearance.
1. Metamorphosis; change of form in insects; as from a caterpillar to a butterfly.
2. Transmutation; the change of one metal into another, as of copper or tin into gold.
3. The change of the soul into a divine substance, as among the mystics.
4. Transubstantiation.
5. In theology, a change of heart in man, by which his disposition and temper are conformed to the divine image; a change from enmity to holiness and love.

Reformation – when one is moved to become a “Christian” to act like a “Christian” to follow Christ’s teachings. When one reforms he, by his own power, decides to live a better live with the Bible as his guide. He believes, has faith, and determination to live a better life in order to be a good Christian. The above is not salvation. If all the person did was get under “conviction’ or was “tired of living the life he was living” and decided to make reform of his ways then salvation most likely never took place.

Transformation – though not a “Bible” word the principle according to the definition is. Note definition #2 and #3 – these two coupled with the Bible words, regeneration, justification, sanctification, etc. along with 2 Cor 5:17 (Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new) describes some of what takes place at real salvation.

Reformation – a person decides to quit drinking, joins AA and cleans up his act. Is this a good and commendable thing? Yes, but there is no real transformation only reformation.

Transformation – a sinner becomes a “new creature” in Christ. The sinner who was once “dead” is made “alive” – Rom. 6:13; Eph. 2:15; Col. 3:10; Eph. 5:8

A lot of what is going on in Christianity today is reformation without transforming.

Reformation is man making himself better by following scripture.

Transforming is God doing a supernatural act made possible by Jesus Christ.

Reformation – no salvation – no eternal security – based upon you.

Transformation – salvation – eternal security – based upon God.

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

May God bless.
 

theseed

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AV, I agree with you for the most part, but I think it is hard to tell the difference on the surface the difference between reformation and transformaiton. Both have external attributes, but only transformation is internal as well. So it's hard to see if someone simply reformed thier life vs. God transforming them--often, but not always.
 
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