Transformation

In Romans 12:2, the apostle Paul tells the church in Rome to “be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. The mind must be transformed first and then the heart will be made clean.

Jesus tells his followers that he is the “way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6 The followers of Jesus are to use his character, life, and teachings as an example to transform themselves into the perfect will and purpose of God.

The Qur’an teaches that those who submit themselves to God are on “the straight path, but that the more difficult path is the steep path:
Surah al — Balad: “I swear by this city, and you [Prophet] are an inhabitant of this city, I swear by parent and offspring that We have created man for toil and trial. Does he think that no one will have power over him? ‘I have squandered great wealth’, he says. Does he think that no one observes him? Did we not give him eyes, a tongue, lips and point out to him the two clear ways [of good and evil]? Yet he has not attempted the steep path. What will explain to you what the steep path is? It is to free a slave, to feed at a time of hunger, an orphaned relative, or a poor person in distress, and to be one of those who believe and urge one another to steadfastness and compassion.”

The Torah (Isaiah 58:6–7):

“No, this is the fast I desire: To unlock shackles of wickedness, and untie the cords of the yoke; to let the oppressed go free; to break off every yoke. It is to share your bread with the hungry, and to take the wretched poor into your home; when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to ignore your own kin.”

This is the beginning of understanding God’s will for humanity; it is having an awareness of other’s needs and then taking action. It is an entire paradigm shift away from pursuing material things just for self — it is to be other directed, especially with self-abundance to assist others with their very survival. There are no caveats, but only unconditionality; why should you give away that which provides you comfort and luxury when you worked or invested to obtain wealth?

Do you believe that life is a level playing field? That for some people because of familial wealth, intelligence, schooling, race, or nationality it is much easier than those who weren’t provided with privilege which makes it extremely difficult to meet basic survival needs even with hard work.

Paul teaches to transform our minds, which means being other directed instead of self-directed. Jesus never taught nor did he himself take more than he needed, but his message spoke to a reality that doesn’t dwell in the hierarchy of the world, but in God’s eternal message. God created the world with provision for everyone, but the underlying human structure of governing creates inequalities, injustice, and human oppression. It is the believer’s spiritual responsibility to transform themselves first, and then diligently work towards transforming the world with justice, charity, empathy and compassion. We don’t have the ability to love like Jesus did, because our hearts must be transformed by God’s Spirit, but we must change our thinking and perceptions first, take action, and then by the working of God’s Spirit, we will become fully human and fully spiritual as God intended.

When humanity doesn’t intentionally transform their minds and hearts then, as the Book of Genesis reveals, the the earth becomes corrupt and “filled with violence.” “And God looked upon the earth, and behold, it was corrupt; for humanity had corrupted its way upon the earth.” Genesis 6:11–12 As is evident in the Torah, Bible, and the Qur’an, destruction follows corruption.