Romans 13:8-14

 

⁸ Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹ The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. 11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; ¹² the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; 13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. 14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

 

Last week we spoke about transformed moments but let’s go back; let’s talk about what it means to be transformed. I find that today we have no idea what it means to be transformed, or maybe we are just afraid of it. And that makes sense; we often are afraid of the unknown. But could you imagine what true renewal looks like. In order for us to be reconciled with God, a transformation is more than necessary; it is required.

 

Every year we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Son of God and the Son of Man who died and defeated death, by rising again, to redeem us from our sins and save us for the purpose of God and only God. And though many of us may not really understand what this actually means. Just as well, many of us hear it because we have heard it from our grandparents or our parents and it has yet to mean anything to us personally; and then many of us, have never heard it and surely do not believe it. But in truth, it is really what God is searching for from each of us. So, it’s time to wake up, now. You know what time it is, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first became believers. So, let’s wake up!

 

Let us Pray. O Lord, open our hearts. We want to know more. Allow our ears to hear what you have for us, allow our hearts to receive what is made for us, motivate us to move when you stir us. Help us continue to search and pray, so we may move always in your truth. Thank you, Lord, for you love and your grace. Amen.

 

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, transformation means “a complete or major change in someone or something’s appearance or form.”

 

But what does this mean for us as Christians? Should we change our behavior to be more “Christ-like,” or live by a new set of rules and regulations? And the answer is yes and both.

 

We need to change our behavior to be more Christ-like and live according to the way of the Lord. The number one task of the church and especially the people of Christ is to see ourselves in the face’s of others. This is the greatest challenge. As a nation and historically as a world of nations, we have been taught how to treat each other by the rules that have been put in place by the colonizer. Just stop and think about it, just about each nation has this history and story that includes divide and conquer. Making it impossible to see our reflection in others.

 

No wonder we do not know or understand what it means to be transformed. We are too busy maintaining the ways of the land. Well, wake up, people! wake up, now! The days are short and the time is drawing near. What else do you need to do and learn to know that things can not continue in this fashion. You are needed, you, are needed, now more than ever to be transformed in Christ. And Paul tells us that both the colonizer and the colonized must have a clear and transformed mind. Why? To be able to face the pain imposed on each other.

 

Love is the answer. And it must be desired and learned in an environment that is built on trust, peace, justice, and reconciliation.

 

So what does the scripture have to say about what transformation is and looks like? The text from Romans makes it clear. Love your neighbor as yourself. Isn’t that the Golden Rule? Treat others as you want to be treated. Are those two statements different? Last week I mentioned we are to outdo one another in showing each other honor. And today I am lifting up “8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. ⁹ The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”;” are all commandments that speak about how we treat one another. And any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” ¹⁰ Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.” Beloved, Love one another.

 

We can not allow ourselves to be separated and at odds any longer. Our very salvation is wrapped up in how we treat each other. But even in knowing this, even in believing we understand it. A transformation is required. How do we get to seeing our reflection on the face of those who look different, have a different race, color, creed, what about those who are homeless, sick, differently abled, and those who love different, those who are angry, orphaned, widowed, aged, economically challenged, what about the one deemed a criminal, and even those who are criminal. In order for us to recognize the God in them, we must start at the beginning. Learn their story.

 

See them as when they were just born. See them as your most loved one. What how you judge them, when you look at them see your reflection. And examine how you would feel if you were them. What do you need to know, or want others to know? Who will listen? Will you?

 

Transformation in Greek actually translates to metamorphosis. The definition of metamorphosis is “a profound change in form from one stage to the next in the life history of an organism.

 

Think about the Butterfly. From birth a caterpillar has everything it needs to become a butterfly. But it must eat, in order for it to gain the nutrients needed for the metamorphosis to happen.

 

Well it actually is not much different for us, we also must eat, feast on the word of God in order to be transformed. God’s word gives life to a new you, a new me, a new world. With the understanding that from the beginning of our life, we have all that was necessary to be what God created us to be. For instance, since I can remember my life goal was to change the world. I know it sounds far fetched. I remember being asked when I was small what do you want to be or do when you grow up. I don’t ever remember saying I want to be a police officer or a fireman, or even a teacher for that matter. I don’t even think I knew what it meant when I said it

 

But I actually remember the very place in my life when I realized that was my life’s goal. I was a huge fan of Marvel and DC comics and I loved the Duke of Hazards, fighting for justice for the universe. I was about 12 or 13.

 

This week I was invited to speak with US Senator Chris Murphy, as he was visiting the food pantry at Open Doors, because our church has been a food resource for the City of Norwalk. While listening to the Executive Director, Michele Conderino about the impact the shelter has experienced due to the Pandemic, I could literally hear the stories of the people. Open Doors has had to limit their occupancy for those inneed shelter due to COVID. Decreasing their numbers from over 95 residents to about 43, I am heart broken for those who can no longer find hope though shelter and a hot meal during the times of sheltering in place.

 

The kitchen that used to be able to serve 3 hot meals to anyone in need is now just serving hot meals to those in residence. There are some other options that the staff just had to be creative to create in order to continue to serve the community, the best way they knew how. The kitchen staff is down to 2 and sometimes just 1 to ensure feeding continues. And I immediately thought what else can we do? Who is being left out? What if it was me? What would I need?

 

This kind of questioning is what is required for us to be transformed. When we can see those left out and left behind and have enough love in our heart to reach out a hand. That is what will bind us together as a community and strengthen the body of Christ. Love neighbor as you would want to be loved. Blindly, without stipulation. That is transformation. All things start in the mind, and an untransformed mind can cause harm both to self and to the entire human family. A transformed consciousness leads to a transformed, loving ministry. That is what I am working to build here at Cornerstone. That is what it will take for us to become the cornerstone of the community.

 

Love activates love. I asked Michele who is caring for her residents spiritually? And it seemed as if just by asking she was moved. It was clear no church and maybe no chaplain is even serving these people. Let us be the ones to feed their souls, not just their bodies. But let us nourish their bodies by allowing them to feast on the word of God. Nurture them through relationship and honor them like they never have been before. Teach them they too have been chosen for God’s will. Help them discover how.

 

Transformation is more than doing good or improving behavior, it’s a complete change, a new way of life. And yes, it takes time and is a process of becoming, a true metamorphosis.

 

The first step has already been initiated by God in the call for you to be a part of the Beloved Community. You respond first in prayer. Building your relationship with God, our Creator, Jesus, our redeemer, and the Holy Spirit that dwells with us today.

 

Then deepen the relationship, by reading scripture. Hearing and learning the stories of those written about in the bible. Find a story to resembles yours or the relates to another. Study it, learn it, bear witness to it, Share it. This is nourishment for the mind to begin the process. The more you feast on the word, the more your mind shifts to things of heaven and not of earth. Then share what you learned and know through building relationships, trust, peace and justice with one another. And continue to invite others to do the same.

 

The good news is it is not too late to join the chorus. Today, is a new day in the Lord and you are here so you can continue in your journey to know Christ and be a disciple. Wake up, now! And be transformed.

 

This is God’s word for God’s people. Amen.