I love the metaphors of a caterpillar and a butterfly. The caterpillar is not pretty at all to me; therefore, in feeling the way I do, to me the caterpillar is symbolic of sin, which is old nature. However, that ugly caterpillar is being changed into a beautiful butterfly which represents new life, new birth (new nature).
One must remember that we can only have one nature, even though as born again believers the old habits may not have changed, we still should be continually going through the transformation process.
Transformation – Your life has changed, but you could still be conforming to the ways of the world. I beseech [urge] you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 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 12:1-2).
In other words, your mind is not being renewed. Transformation goes beyond the onset of new birth; it is a continual change that takes place throughout our lives.
Let’s go back to the caterpillar and the butterfly. The caterpillar goes through the process of transformation until it turns completely into a butterfly. Once the cater[pillar becomes a butterfly, it can never be a caterpillar again. Once a sinner becomes born again, they can never be a sinner again. Praise the Lord!
The caterpillar/sinner has been changed- it is no longer the same. Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)
You have been made brand new. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are not the same, we don’t act the same, we don’t think the same. not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5).
I am reiterating this series, by asking this. Are you still a sinner? Do you fall short of God’s glory? Do you think you can lose your salvation? If so, you’re saying God is not powerful enough to keep you. After reading the messages, this week you should have the assurance of who you are in Christ. Maybe you don’t understand everything but trust the Lord! Remember this about our great God who is not confined to space or time; therefore, everything has taken place from His perspective.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.”(Jeremiah 1:5) This means God already had a relationship with us because He had foreknowledge and He had predestined for us to be His own (Romans 8:30).
God knew before David was born that he would fall into sin, yet He said David was a man after His own heart. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The Lord has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the Lord has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the Lord commanded you.”(1 Samuel 14:13)
And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will. (Acts 13:22)
Didn’t God know you were going to fall before He created you? David fell more than once, and he wrote about falling. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand. (Psalm 37:23-24)
God’s love does not depend on what we do; He is Love! My friends, walk in freedom, humbly!
His handmaiden, Betty A. Burnett ~ burnettministries.org
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