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I heard a pastor say the other day, “Without transformation, Jesus is just information.” I thought what a profound way to remind Christ followers that our lives should be constantly changing. We should be growing closer to God and being more a reflection of Him than our old selves.

The Word says, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed…” (Romans 12:2) I think sometimes we miss out on the true meaning “not be conformed to this world.” What does that really mean?

I believe it is so much more in-depth. More than the prominent social injustices that are so fluently expressed throughout all media sources. We are inundated with the media telling us how we should vote, what is right and what is wrong, what is socially acceptable and what is not socially acceptable. It becomes a distraction to the very internal things that God is beckoning us to change. God wants us to change. If we change, then those other things will change too because we will support what God supports.

In Ephesians Chapter 5 we see, “So then, be careful how you walk, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.” The only way to know the will of God is “…by the renewing of your mind.” (Romans 12:2) You renew your mind through the Word of God. Amazingly, only as a Christ follower, can you study the word and your life begin to change. It is not a huge list of rights and wrongs. It is more than head knowledge. It begins to transform your life as you agree with what God says.

“Without transformation Jesus is just information” this is so very true. Ask most people and they say they believe in God. However, it is just information. Only when our lives are transformed is God glorified. When people know that we have a relationship with God, they can see God in us. They know that there is something different between a “church goer” and a “Christ follower”. They see the daily decisions that a Christ follower makes, how they deal with life situations, their character, and always see them growing in God and “making the most of your time.”

They may not understand what it is, but they do see a transformation. They see more than information –they see a life transformed through the love of Jesus Christ.

Yvette Perrin is a columnist for The Charlotte Gazette. She can be reached at theword2yvette@gmail.com.