"Nurturing Transformation" Luke 6:43-45
In churches, every leaders heart is to bring about maturity and transformation with the flock of God. Think about it, transformation is at the core of what God is all about.
The major focus of every leader is to help people to become familiar with a dynamic development in God and a deepening love to know Christ’s Will. In turn, this brings about advancements in all aspect of their lives. But when our leadership in the church causes us to focus so much on the serving tables, how do you actually nurture transformation in a dynamic way? The Bible teaches us that transformation must have movement, which produces fruitful growth individually and corporately.
As spiritual leaders, we must understand that the heart is where life change starts. Every individual claiming to love Christ and God should be a recipient of the fruitful growth. (And yes, any leader of the Lord's church in this age will face the challenge of leading a wounded flock.)
With this in mind, both shepherds and sheep must understand the work of cultivating disciples will be a task. We are all part of the process of nurturing transformation, but the flock of God must allow the shepherd to lead even when it is very difficult to focus in the midst of adversity.
Nurturing transformation permits leaders and members to enjoy church life. No matter the misfortune or hardships experienced, we have to find a way to nurture transformation in our churches starting with leaders. These COURAGEOUS leaders will nurture the flock’s capabilities of moving forward with a heart of compassion.
But be sure of this, every person may not be ready to move. Internally they must be willing to be nurtured to transformation. This is the very reason why Jesus communicated in His time that there would be mere professors in Christianity.
Notice what Jesus says in Luke 6:43-45, " 43 “For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. 44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble bush. 45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.”
Listen closely to the words of Jesus from two other different analytical grammatical constructions, but from the same text.
“For there is no good tree which bears rotten fruit.“
“A tree is not good when it bears rotten fruit.”
Looking at the grammatical breakdown of both these phrases, “kalon” is used as a predicate in the original Koine Greek sentence to describe an agricultural illustration of the tree producing fruit.
However, Jesus is not focusing solely on the tree, but more importantly on the continuance of fruit produced by the tree. This then explains “For” being the Greek word “gar,” which expresses the reason or intention for continuation. In other words, Jesus wants less lip service from Christians and more lifestyle. If we are honestly connected to Jesus, we should continue to transform every facet of our lives.
Christians who are in love with their Savior will find it very easy to nurture transformation, which leads to permanent growth. Productive Christians will never oppose progressive transformation, but will always find a way to nurture further transformation.