TRANSFORMATION VERSUS METAMORPHOSIS
TRANSFORMATION VERSUS METAMORPHOSIS
Transformation means to go from one thing to another. Metamorphosis is to transform from one thing, into something greater. Metamorphosis (Greek word meaning transfigured - meta/after - morphosis/beautiful form) describes a conversion process, as the caterpillar changes form into a butterfly. But this is a very interesting process. You see, the slimy caterpillar of no particular beauty, crawls along the ground until eventually entering it's temporary prison. The chrysalis, or cocoon. There, it resides alone and in darkness, not knowing what may lay ahead. But when the time is right, it emerges as a beautiful winged Monarch Butterfly. Not merely a transformation, but a beautification ... a metamorphosis. This is the deeper meaning of this process of change from one form to another.
Now, a look at a common Biblical scripture as it has been translated into English:
"And be not conformed to this world, but be 'transformed' by the renewing of your mind ..."
Romans 12:12
The proper translation from the original Greek would've been "metamorphosis" rather than "transformation." You see, once a caterpillar has become a butterfly, there is no going back. Even if it wanted to. The same with Mind. Once it has morphed into a new and better way of thinking, it cannot go back to it's old ways. The desire is gone. The ability is gone. The old man is dead, and the new man has risen ... resurrected, and become born-again.
Your true Self, your Divine Self, your God and Christ Self are eternal. You were with God/Source before you incarnated into matter here in Earth. An OT name for God is "Elohim" which is plural, not singular in the Hebrew (El is singular). This plural form means one, made up of the many ... that Father God, is made up of all the Sons and daughters of God. The particles, the fragments, that make up the entirety of the universe.
Your Mother formed a garment of flesh for you, and your parents named you. You were conditioned and trained to believe yourself to be only human. To be only a physical being of matter. When you announce yourself to others, you precede the name your parents labeled you with ... by using your REAL name as a lead-in. I AM ... Robert. Or, I AM Diane. Do you see ... you are the I AM that I AM ... that WE ARE. This is why we asked earlier in Romans 12:2 to have "our Minds renewed." Man fell from the consciousness of God, to the consciousness of Man, so ... God became man, so that man can become God by the renewing of the Mind.
Colossians 3:10 reminds us to put on the new renewed man ... the Christ, the Spirit or Mind of God which is the All in All. The Source and destination of all things. The Alpha and the Omega. The beginning, and the end.
Just a thought ...
~Justin Taylor, ORDM.