Transformed
Transformed
There’s a fantasy book series I have been reading over the past couple years called
The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson, and part of what has drawn me
into this series is how there are some powerful themes woven throughout, that
centers on this idea of transformation— or as they say in the books, becoming
“radiant.” The words of becoming “radiant,” spoken by those who swear the
“oaths” of the “Knights Radiant,” symbolize this internal and external shift from
brokenness to strength, from despair to purpose. Why I find it so fascinating is
that this journey the characters go through in these books strongly mirrors some
biblical truths we find in scripture: we, too, are called to become transformed in
Christ, transformed by His grace and equipped for His purposes.
In these books, the “First Ideal of the Knights Radiant” is simple yet profound:
"Life before death. Strength before weakness. Journey before destination."
These words embody the process of growth and transformation. They
acknowledge struggle but point toward something greater. Similarly, we can find
in scripture calls for us to a journey of faith, one that involves dying to ourselves,
finding strength in God, and embracing the process of sanctification.
The first phrase of this “ideal” begins with “Life before death.” At first glance, this
might seem obvious—of course, life comes before death. But in the context of the
“Knights Radiant,” it is a call to choose life even when surrounded by despair. It
is about pressing forward despite pain and refusing to surrender to hopelessness.
In the Christian life, we are also called to embrace true life, not merely existence.
Jesus said in John 10:10, “I came so that they would have life, and have it
abundantly.” Yet this life comes through death—death to sin, death to selfish
desires, and death to our old ways. Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been
crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the
life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me
and gave Himself up for me.” To become transformed in Christ, we must first
allow God to strip away the things that hold us back: fear, doubt, sin, and
selfishness. Just as the characters in The Stormlight Archive must confront their
brokenness before embracing their power, we, too, must surrender our
brokenness to God.
The second phrase of this “ideal,” “Strength before weakness,” reminds us that
true strength is not found in avoiding weakness but in overcoming it. The greatest
heroes in Sanderson’s world he’s created in his books are not those who are
naturally powerful but those who rise despite their failures. One of the main
characters, for instance, suffers loss, betrayal, and despair, yet it is precisely
through his struggles that he learns to protect and inspire others. Scripture
teaches the same principle. Paul, who once persecuted Christians before
becoming a great apostle, understood that God’s strength is made perfect in
weakness. In 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, he writes, “And He has said to me, “My grace
is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I
will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in
me. Therefore I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in distresses, in persecutions, in
difficulties, in behalf of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.” To become
transformed in Christ, we must stop relying on our own strength and instead lean
into God’s. It is in our moments of greatest weakness that His light shines
brightest through us.
The final phrase, “Journey before destination,” teaches that the process matters
more than the end result. Many of Sanderson’s characters are tempted to seek
shortcuts to power or victory, yet the true measure of their heroism is in how they
endure the journey. Likewise, the Christian life is not about rushing to a final
destination but about walking faithfully each day. Hebrews 12:1-2 urges us,
“Therefore, since we also have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us,
let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and
let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking only at Jesus, the
originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the
cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of
God.” The journey of faith requires perseverance. There will be trials, setbacks,
and moments of doubt. But as we press forward, trusting in God’s plan, we are
shaped and refined. James 1:2-4 reminds us, “Consider it all joy, my brothers and
sisters, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith
produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may
be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”
The process of becoming transformed in Christ is not immediate. It requires
patience, trust, and endurance. But as we continue to walk with God, He
transforms us from glory to glory. 2 Corinthians 3:18: “But we all, with unveiled
faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into
the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”
- John Wells
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Christians Only
Charles Spurgeon is considered by many to have been one of the greatest Baptist
preachers who ever lived. Mr. Spurgeon once made the following statement, “I
look forward, with pleasure, to the day when there will not be a Baptist living. I
hope they will soon be gone. I hope the Baptist name will soon perish; but let
Christ’s name endure forever.”
To this we say “Amen.” But what exactly did Spurgeon mean by it? Was he
expressing contempt for those who wore the name “Baptist?” Certainly not, nor
do we. Was it a personal slur? Again, no. He was simply calling attention to the
fact that Christians belong to Christ and should wear His name. There is not a
hint in the New Testament of Jesus’ disciples wearing party names (at least, not
with God’s approval, cf. 1Cor 1:10-13; 3:3-7).
Mr. Spurgeon was exactly correct when he observed that we should be Christians,
first, last, and only
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