A believer's transformation is entirely God's work — it happens when the power of God saves a sinner who believes, changing him from within, not by anything he does himself.
Les Feldick teaches that salvation is totally the work of God; God performs the miracle of salvation and only then does a dramatic turnaround and change in lifestyle follow (Clip 5). Because the change takes place in the invisible part of man — the soul, spirit, and mind — no human being, preacher, or religion can produce it; only God, who created that inward part, can touch it (Clips 3, 4). The believer does not work for the change — it comes as the result of believing (Clip 1).
Romans 12:2 — Paul commands the believer to be transformed rather than conformed — the essential passage for how the inner change takes place.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — Describes the result of transformation — the believer in Christ is a new creature, with old things passing away.
Romans 12:2 sets out the believer's transformation in direct contrast to conformity with the world: "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." The change is tied to the renewing of the mind, and it results in proving the will of God. The same change is described in 2 Corinthians 5:17 as a new identity: "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." And the power behind salvation belongs to God, not man: "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek" (Romans 1:16). Even the body is included in the believer's future transformation. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 promises: "Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
Les Feldick teaches that transformation is the opposite of being molded by the world. He explains from Romans 12:2 that the world system is under Satan's control — the world lies in the lap of the wicked one — and being conformed to it means being poured into Satan's mold (Clip 0). Les points out that the word "conformed" in Romans 12 is the same Greek word translated "transfigured" when Christ was transfigured on the Mount (Clip 0). Transformation, therefore, is a complete change in character and appearance of life, not a surface improvement. Les is emphatic that this change does not come by works or self-effort. He says he "can in no way please God with [his] works" because he is a sinner (Clip 4). A person must not try to change himself first, because then he is no longer in the area of "faith plus nothing" — salvation must be totally the work of God, and all God looks for is faith (Clip 5). When God saves a sinner who believes, the person "becomes a totally different person in his outlook, in his desires" — and Les adds, "you don't work for that, it comes" (Clip 1). Les locates the transformation in the part of a man that only God can reach. The body is the only visible part of a human being; the soul and spirit are invisible, and no man can operate on them or correct them. "We're in that area of a man's makeup that only God can do anything with," he says (Clips 3, 4). God also supplies the power to live the changed life: when a genuine believer understands that Christ accomplished everything on his behalf, God moves in and gives power to live a life pleasing in His sight — and when the believer falls, God forgives, cleanses, and picks him up (Clip 6). Les compares the process to the growth of a physical infant: a new believer is a "babe in Christ" who needs nourishment, protection, and tender loving care, and God expects him to grow in grace and in knowledge and wisdom (Clips 1, 7). For the body, he uses the metamorphosis of a butterfly — an ugly worm in a cocoon becoming a beautiful butterfly — as a picture of what happens when this "old ugly frame of dust" is suddenly changed and believers receive a glorious new body (Clip 2).
Les Feldick says human effort cannot produce the change. He states plainly that he cannot please God with his works because he is a sinner (Clip 4). He warns that if a person changes himself first, then he is no longer in the area of faith plus nothing — he has done something on his own (Clip 5). Salvation, and the transformation that follows, must be totally the work of God; all God looks for is faith (Clip 5).
Les teaches that the transformation takes place in the invisible part of a person — the soul and the spirit — the part that is invisible and beyond man's reach (Clip 3). He says there is nothing man can do to correct something wrong in the invisible: it cannot be laid on an operating table for surgery, and no miracle drug can be fed to it (Clip 3). Because God created that invisible part of our being, He alone can do anything with it (Clips 3, 4).
Even though the change itself is inward, Les says it quickly becomes visible. A believer becomes "a totally different person in his outlook, in his desires" without working for it (Clip 1). He tells his classes that the basic fundamental aspect of the Christian life that immediately becomes visible to friends, relatives, and the whole community is that a true born-again child of God is going to be a good citizen (Clip 7).
Les reminds listeners that transformation is not complete with only the invisible part. Using the metamorphosis of the butterfly — an ugly cocoon that becomes a beautiful butterfly — he pictures what will happen when this "old ugly frame of dust" is suddenly changed and believers receive a glorious new body (Clip 2). He acknowledges that no earthly illustration is perfect, but the essence is the same: what comes out of the ugliness is beautiful.
Conformed vs. Transformed — the Same Word as 'Transfigured'
Les explains that Romans 12:2 warns against being poured into Satan's mold and that the word 'conformed' is the same Greek word translated 'transfigured' when Christ was transfigured — so the believer's transformation is a complete change of character, not a surface polish.
Believing Changes Outlook and Desires
When the power of God pulls a person out of the slave market of sin and gives new life, he becomes a totally different person in outlook and desires — and he does not work for that change; it comes from believing.
The Metamorphosis of the Body
Les compares the future change of the body to the metamorphosis of a butterfly — out of an ugly cocoon comes a beautiful butterfly — picturing how this old frame of dust will be changed into a glorious body.
Only God Can Touch the Invisible Part
The soul and spirit are invisible, so no man can lay them on an operating table, give them medicine, or correct them — only God can do anything with the invisible part of a man's makeup.
Works Cannot Please God
Because the body is the only visible part of a human being, self-effort cannot reach the invisible part; man cannot please God with works, yet the unseen part is real — like the wind you can't see but know is there.
God Performs the Miracle of Salvation First
Les stresses that God has to take the sinner where he is and perform the miracle of salvation; if a person changes himself first, he is no longer in the area of faith plus nothing — salvation is totally God's work.
God Gives Power to Live the Changed Life
When a genuine believer truly believes that Christ accomplished everything needed, God moves in and gives the power to live a life pleasing in His sight — and when he falls, God forgives and restores him.
New Believers Grow Into the New Life
A new believer is like an infant who must grow in grace, knowledge, and wisdom; the visible result of a true born-again child of God is a good citizen in the community.
Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The central command about transformation — the believer is to be transformed by a renewed mind rather than conformed to the world.
Matthew 17:2: And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Les notes that the word 'conformed' in Romans 12 is the same word translated 'transfigured' here — showing transformation is a genuine change.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Describes the believer as a 'new creation' after God performs the miracle of salvation.
Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The gospel is the power of God that brings the new life which changes a person's outlook and desires.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52: Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
The bodily change Les compares to a metamorphosis — believers will be changed when the body is raised or suddenly transformed.
According to Les Feldick, transformation is totally God's work. God has to take the sinner right where he is and perform the miracle of salvation; the person cannot change himself first. All God looks for is faith (Clip 5).
Les says the change comes at salvation — a person becomes totally different in outlook and desires — but he is not a mature Christian overnight. New believers are babes in Christ who need nourishment and protection, and God expects them to grow in grace, knowledge, and wisdom over time (Clips 1, 7).
Yes. Les uses the metamorphosis of a butterfly to picture the future change: this body of dust will suddenly be changed into a glorious new body at the resurrection and rapture (Clip 2).
Les says he can in no way please God with his works because he is a sinner. Trying to change the visible outer man cannot reach the invisible soul and spirit, which only God can change (Clips 3, 4).
Watch the Teaching: Be Not Conformed: What Romans 12:2 Really Means for You