Transformation

"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 12:2 NKJ)

Paul Karason was born a fair-skinned, freckled boy with reddish blond hair. And for forty years, he remained fair and freckled. And as is normal with aging, his hair turned white, but his skin developed a bluish tint that really made his white hair standout. His skin condition is the result of a rare medical syndrome known as argyria (silver poisoning) from dietary supplements.

IN 2008, Karason told ABC news his skin began to turn blue sometime in the late 90s after he had seen an ad in a new-age magazine promising health and rejuvenation through colloidal silver. He ordered the kit and began drinking 10 ounces of the home-brew that he dissolved in water daily.

For awhile, Karason never noticed the change in his skin color, but his health changed. He was so happy with the results that he began to rub the solution on his skin. And he believed that this step was what caused his skin to turn blue, but medical experts say that is not the case at all.

Doctors claim the damage had already occurred when Karason ingested the elemental silver, which got into his blood stream and was deposited in his skin. When elemental silver builds up in human skin, it takes on a gray or blue/gray tint.

Karason's story is an excellent illustration of how grace transforms a person into the image of Christ. It begins with the promise of eternal health and life through the death, burial and resurrection of Christ.

After the intitial experience of faith, the believer continues to "drink" daily at the springs of living waters. At first, it will almost seem as if nothing is different, but as the believer continues to ingest the elemental commands of Christ, laying aside sinful practices; as the believer continues to learn and draw closer to Christ, then inevitable change occurs.

Christ becomes more than an object of faith. His blood gets into the bloodstream of the believer. And the believer truly immerses him/herself into the life of Christ. And the believer is irrevocably transformed into the image of Christ.

No, the believer will not take on a new skin color, but the elemental holiness of Jesus Christ will shine through for others to see. And that is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Dear Father, thank your for your transforming grace. Empower us to immerse ourselves in the life of Christ until we are transformed into his image. I pray this in the name of Jesus. AMEN

Be transformed in Christ today,