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What is a metamorphosis? One source defines it in the following way-

1a: change of physical form, structure, or substance especially by supernatural means the metamorphosis of humans into animals b: a striking alteration in appearance, character, or circumstances. The company has gone through a series of metamorphoses. *

In this week’s passage from the book of James, we learn that Christ-followers are meant to undergo metamorphosis. As we live out the message that is able to save our souls (James 1:21-22) we begin undergoing a process of increasing Christ-likeness. This process is often called sanctification.

James explains this process using several action words in these few short verses. He contrasts the casual gaze in a mirror with peering and fixing attention. The New King James Bible translates this verse in the following way-

But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

James 1:25 New King James Version, © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. All rights reserved

How does this process of metamorphosis begin?

It starts with those who are Christ-followers being made as completely new creatures. We are told in 2 Corinthians 5:17 that if anyone is in Christ, he or she is a new creation. This means that our old nature of loving sin and living for ourselves is over, and that in Christ we are given new thoughts and desires. This is a complete re-birth into a new life.

We see this amazing miracle take place in Scripture, perhaps the most dramatic change being in the conversion of the Apostle Paul. In Acts 8:1-3 we read that Paul (then Saul) was vehemently opposed to Christ-followers and enthusiastically supporting the persecution of this fledgling church. However, when confronted by Jesus, Paul’s life completely changed. Only a short time later he was testifying to the truth of the Gospel even at the cost of personal danger (Acts 9).

While on earth, Jesus taught that those who loved him would keep his commandments (John 14:15). This is the basic process of sanctification- living out our love for Christ by being obedient to the things that he tells us to do. And for this great task we are given the Holy Spirit to guide and aid us (John 16:13). Through the Scripture we have the guidance for how to grow in godliness. As James encourages his readers- faith precipitates action. In this case, the action of personal growth in godliness.

What does this look like in context?

In the preceding verses of this chapter, James warned his readers about the importance of tempered speech and a tamed tongue. Shortly later in the passage, he stresses the importance of caring for the disadvantaged and not being polluted by the world’s influence (James 1:27). These are practical implications of Godliness.

To live like Christ and undergo the metamorphosis we are meant to live out, Christ-followers must be steeped in the Word of God, mindful of and obedient to His commands. Only then can we anticipate with joy the hope referenced by Paul in one of his epistles to the Corinthian church:

And we all, with unveiled faces reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another, which is from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

2 Corinthians 3:18, NET

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