June 2

Transaction vs. Transformation

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  ––Romans 12:2 NKJV

We live in a transactional world. We work for money so we can pay bills. Transaction. We get an education or a trade so we can get a job. Transaction. We haggle with the car dealer for that new Ford pickup we want. Transaction.

But the power of transaction goes much deeper than that. When we start digging around our emotional and spiritual life, we sometimes discover things that make us uncomfortable. For example, have you ever caught yourself saying, “I’d rather not deal with that, Lord. It’s in the past.” We approach God transactionally, even though He doesn’t operate that way (more on that in a second). It’s great to move on from past struggles, but it’s an entirely different thing if you’re just ignoring the damage the struggle created.

Typically, when we don’t allow God to deal with our past, we transmit that pain onto the people we love the most. That churning sludge of ugly emotions—no matter how deep you’ve buried it—spews out in frustration and angry words.

Satan loves to keep us locked in a transactional mindset where we think, “If I do this for God, He will love me more,” or, “If God doesn’t make me deal with that pain from my childhood, I will volunteer even more hours at church.” Flat out, that doesn’t work. God has built us to be transformed by our pain, rather than transmitters of it. If we don’t deal with the junk, the junk will deal with us.

Transformation is just a five-dollar word for becoming more like Christ each day by remaining present with Him and your safe circle of other believers. It brings peace of mind and assurance knowing that He’s cast your sin as far is the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). It also means that our terrible memories and struggles don’t need to weigh us down any longer. Ditch the transactional mindset—you don’t need to barter for God’s favor. The only transaction God is interested in is that you accept—for free!—the salvation that comes through knowing and accepting Jesus Christ. Now that’s an awesome deal.

Father, flip off my bartering mindset and replace it with Yours.