Yes, God plays the sole, divine role in transforming believers.
According to the evidence, transformation is entirely God's work. He creates a new nature in the believer, making them a new creation. Human effort cannot achieve this change; it happens when God works supernaturally in response to faith.
2 Corinthians 5:17 — This verse directly states that being in Christ results in a new creation, highlighting God's creative role in transformation.
The Bible says that those who are in Christ are a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17 declares, "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." This indicates that transformation is a divine act of creation, not a result of human effort. The verse is set in the context of Christ's death for all, as stated in 2 Corinthians 5:14-15. Because Christ died for all, those who live are to live for Him. This new life is a consequence of Christ's work, not a prerequisite for it. Additionally, Romans 12:2 speaks of being "transformed by the renewing of your mind." The evidence suggests that God is the one who renews the mind, and this renewal is part of the transformative process.
Les Feldick teaches that God is the sole agent of transformation. He emphasizes that only God can renew the mind and create a new nature within the believer. This transformative work happens when a person believes, not through human effort or self-improvement. Les uses the analogy of the Red Sea crossing: as God parted the Red Sea supernaturally, He supernaturally works in the believer to give a new nature. He also highlights that becoming a new creation is as great a miracle as the creation of the universe, underscoring God's exclusive role. Additionally, Les explains that while God does the transforming work, the believer still retains the old flesh, leading to a continual battle. The new nature is divine and cannot sin, but the old Adam is still present, capable of tripping up the believer.
God transforms a believer by performing a supernatural work of creation. When a person believes the gospel, God gives them a new nature, which is divine and cannot sin. This is a miraculous act, as great as the creation of the universe. The believer is then considered a new creation, with old things passing away and all things becoming new.
Faith is the prerequisite for transformation. God moves in and transforms the individual only after they believe. This is not something the person initiates or accomplishes; it is solely a response to faith, which is trusting in God's work. Believing is the catalyst, but the transformation itself is entirely God's doing.
Human effort cannot achieve transformation because salvation is a work of God alone. If a person could change themselves, they would be adding works to faith, diluting the principle of faith plus nothing. The evidence shows that transformation is a result of salvation, not a prerequisite. It is a supernatural act that only God can perform, much like parting the Red Sea.
In transformation, God considers the old Adam as dead and crucified with Christ. However, in experience, the old nature still exists and can cause problems. God imparts a new divine nature that cannot sin, but the believer still has the old flesh that can trip them up. This leads to a battle between the new nature and the old Adam.
Renewing of the Mind
Les teaches that only God can renew the mind, and He does so after we believe, transforming us into a new person.
Salvation is God's Miracle
Les emphasizes that God performs the miracle of salvation, making the believer a new creation, and that it cannot be done by human effort first.
New Life from God
Les illustrates that God pulls the sinner out of the slave market and gives new life, making them a totally different person in outlook and desires.
Supernatural Work
Les compares the parting of the Red Sea to God's supernatural work in giving a new nature to the believer, emphasizing it is by faith.
New Creation
Les explains that when we believe, God creates a new nature within us, making us a new creation.
Royal Battle
Les teaches that God creates a new nature but we still have the old Adam, leading to a battle within the believer.
Creation Miracle
Les stresses that God saving a sinner and making him a new person is as great a miracle as creating the universe.
Divine Nature
Les explains that when old Adam dies, God imparts a new divine nature that cannot sin, so transformation is an act of God.
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.
This verse directly states the result of being in Christ: a new creation, indicating God's transformative work.
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.
This verse mentions transformation through mind renewal, which Les says only God can do.
Based on the evidence, transformation begins at the moment of belief when God creates a new nature, making the person a new creation. However, the Christian life is a process of growth, as Les compares new believers to infants who need nourishment and protection. The initial transformation is instant, but becoming a mature Christian takes time.
No. According to the evidence, transformation is entirely God's work. Human effort cannot achieve it, as it would mean adding works to faith. God alone performs the miracle of salvation and creates the new nature. The believer's role is to believe, and then God transforms them.
It means that when a person is in Christ, their old sinful nature is considered dead and a new divine nature is given. Practically, this leads to a change in outlook, desires, and lifestyle. However, the old Adam is still present, so believers experience a battle between the new nature and the old flesh.
Watch the Teaching: Be Not Conformed: What Romans 12:2 Really Means for You