Introduction. As butterflies flutter from flower to flower they exhibit both graceful movements and an amazing array of beautiful colors, sometimes rivaling the flowers they land upon. They are another example of God’s creative genius. But that is only half the story. The most astonishing thing about the butterfly is that it is not initially in this form. It begins its life as a caterpillar with no graceful movements and very little beauty. God created this insect to build a cocoon and pass through the process of metamorphosis. If we did not see this happen to millions of butterflies each year, it might stretch our credibility to believe it occurs. Yet because it happens so often, we accept it as a common thing, and gradually it loses it’s ability to amaze. Such is the power of our God! He makes the impossible look so easy it becomes commonplace! God’s everlasting power and divinity truly shine in the butterfly!
God uses the “transformation” of a caterpillar into a butterfly as a “parable” or physical illustration of a spiritual reality we might not otherwise understand. The Scriptures reveal that the transformation by which a caterpillar becomes a butterfly is similar to the transformation the redeemed sinner enters after the new birth in water baptism. The Holy Spirit used the same Greek word “metamorpho-o” which is defined: “to change into another form... to transfigure, transform.” So as the gospel works through our faith and efforts, the worldly sinner finds the power to once again “become a partaker of the divine nature” and “escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (Rom. 12:1-2; 2Pet. 1:3-8). If we are successful in this, then God sees us transforming year after year from the worldly caterpillar into the spiritual butterfly
God uses the “transformation” of a caterpillar into a butterfly as a “parable” or physical illustration of a spiritual reality we might not otherwise understand. The Scriptures reveal that the transformation by which a caterpillar becomes a butterfly is similar to the transformation the redeemed sinner enters after the new birth in water baptism. The Holy Spirit used the same Greek word “metamorpho-o” which is defined: “to change into another form... to transfigure, transform.” So as the gospel works through our faith and efforts, the worldly sinner finds the power to once again “become a partaker of the divine nature” and “escape the corruption that is in the world through lust.” (Rom. 12:1-2; 2Pet. 1:3-8). If we are successful in this, then God sees us transforming year after year from the worldly caterpillar into the spiritual butterfly
As we consider the passage that describes this transformation, it becomes evident that although God placed the power of metamorphosis into the gospel, it is by our own efforts, coupled with His, that the speed and depth of our own metamorphosis will occur. If we do not “present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice,” and stop being "conformed to this world,” the transformation will occur very slowly, or may not occur at all. The only way we can “be transformed” is “by the renewing of your mind.” Although many want or expect God will just do it for them, that is not how the Scriptures reveal it will occur. The transformation begins and continues by the efforts we put forth to “prove what the will of God is!”
This transformation is not passive. We must make it happen! You must present your body, because that is your spiritual service. You must not allow yourself to be conformed, you must be transformed, and you must renew your mind. Not being conformed and being transformed are both in the imperative mode in the Greek, which means they are commands. God has commanded us to refuse to be conformed to this world and He has commanded us to be transformed.
This means that being conformed or not being conformed is under our control. This is why Paul warned the Corinthians: “Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."" (1Cor. 15:33-34). If we remain around evil companions, their influence will corrupt our good morals and lead us to being conformed to them. This will stop the process of metamorphosis, which reveals the grave danger of peer pressure. Since being around evil friends, will lead to the temptation of conforming to them, we may have to limit or even avoid that contact.
It means that being transformed is also under our control since we are commanded to allow it to happen. The passive reveals that it is the gospel bringing about the transformation, but we have to do the things necessary for its power to work. Like the caterpillar who must weave its cocoon, we must find the Scriptures that describe the things we need to do in order to bring about this transformation.
First, we must “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24). As we learn the will of God on every word, thought and deed, we will find those areas conforming to the world (the corrupt old man with deceitful lusts) and we will find those areas of the new man (created according to God in true righteousness and holiness). As we “put off” the old and “put on” the new, we are being transformed.
In another Scripture, we are told to “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2-3). This requires a complete change of priorities and focus. The caterpillar can only focus on living on the ground, while the butterfly leaves all that behind looking at things from the air. Because we are being transformed, “we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Cor. 4:18). This verse reveals that part of our metamorphosis centers on rising above the mundane things of this life and looking instead to the eternal things of God.
We then “ put to death your members which are on the earth,” “put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” Like the passage in Romans, this passage requires we “put to death”, “put off” and “put on.” We “put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language,” and we put on all these, “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” (Col. 3:5-13).
In this way, as we “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” we stop “conforming ourselves to our former lusts we did in ignorance” and “as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” (Phil. 2:12-13; 1Pet. 1:14-15). As time passes, and we continue to study the Scriptures and bring ourselves into conformity with them, we will see ourselves, “being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Cor. 3:18).
Conclusion. Peter revealed the entire process in ten verses. It begins with the God’s gift of “all things that pertain to life and godliness” and “his precious and exceeding great promises.” “Through these” two things, “you may become partakers of the divine nature” and escape “the corruption that is in the world through lust.” This is our metamorphosis: to escape corruption and enter into the fellowship of His divine nature. In order to accomplish this, we must add on our part the seven things Peter commanded. To our faith we add, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. As we do these things we leave behind the old man (caterpillar) and by putting on the new man (butterfly), we are transformed in the same image.
- I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom. 12:1-2)
This transformation is not passive. We must make it happen! You must present your body, because that is your spiritual service. You must not allow yourself to be conformed, you must be transformed, and you must renew your mind. Not being conformed and being transformed are both in the imperative mode in the Greek, which means they are commands. God has commanded us to refuse to be conformed to this world and He has commanded us to be transformed.
This means that being conformed or not being conformed is under our control. This is why Paul warned the Corinthians: “Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals."" (1Cor. 15:33-34). If we remain around evil companions, their influence will corrupt our good morals and lead us to being conformed to them. This will stop the process of metamorphosis, which reveals the grave danger of peer pressure. Since being around evil friends, will lead to the temptation of conforming to them, we may have to limit or even avoid that contact.
It means that being transformed is also under our control since we are commanded to allow it to happen. The passive reveals that it is the gospel bringing about the transformation, but we have to do the things necessary for its power to work. Like the caterpillar who must weave its cocoon, we must find the Scriptures that describe the things we need to do in order to bring about this transformation.
First, we must “put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Eph. 4:22-24). As we learn the will of God on every word, thought and deed, we will find those areas conforming to the world (the corrupt old man with deceitful lusts) and we will find those areas of the new man (created according to God in true righteousness and holiness). As we “put off” the old and “put on” the new, we are being transformed.
In another Scripture, we are told to “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Col. 3:2-3). This requires a complete change of priorities and focus. The caterpillar can only focus on living on the ground, while the butterfly leaves all that behind looking at things from the air. Because we are being transformed, “we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (2Cor. 4:18). This verse reveals that part of our metamorphosis centers on rising above the mundane things of this life and looking instead to the eternal things of God.
We then “ put to death your members which are on the earth,” “put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.” Like the passage in Romans, this passage requires we “put to death”, “put off” and “put on.” We “put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language,” and we put on all these, “tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” (Col. 3:5-13).
In this way, as we “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,” we stop “conforming ourselves to our former lusts we did in ignorance” and “as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.” (Phil. 2:12-13; 1Pet. 1:14-15). As time passes, and we continue to study the Scriptures and bring ourselves into conformity with them, we will see ourselves, “being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” (2Cor. 3:18).
Conclusion. Peter revealed the entire process in ten verses. It begins with the God’s gift of “all things that pertain to life and godliness” and “his precious and exceeding great promises.” “Through these” two things, “you may become partakers of the divine nature” and escape “the corruption that is in the world through lust.” This is our metamorphosis: to escape corruption and enter into the fellowship of His divine nature. In order to accomplish this, we must add on our part the seven things Peter commanded. To our faith we add, virtue, knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. As we do these things we leave behind the old man (caterpillar) and by putting on the new man (butterfly), we are transformed in the same image.
- 2 Grace to you and peace be multiplied in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; 3 seeing that his divine power hath granted unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that called us by his own glory and virtue; 4 whereby he hath granted unto us his precious and exceeding great promises; that through these ye may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world by lust. 5 Yea, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply virtue; and in (your) virtue knowledge; 6 and in (your) knowledge self-control; and in (your) self-control patience; and in (your) patience godliness; 7 and in (your) godliness brotherly kindness; and in (your) brotherly kindness love. 8 For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful unto the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 For he that lacketh these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. 10 Wherefore, brethren, give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never stumble: 11 for thus shall be richly supplied unto you the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. (2Pet. 1:2-11)