Biblical transformation and mission mobilization go hand in hand. That is why at Twelve Two Ministries, we have brought these two ideas together in our core values.
Biblical transformation is the process through which a Christian grows spiritually in a way that they become more like Christ. In theological parlance, this process is called sanctification, but a good way to think about out would be continual growth in holiness. Romans 12:2 challenges the believer to not conform to the world, but to instead be transformed by the renewing our our minds, that is, of the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, so that we begin to think in a different way, that we begin to think like Jesus!
Mobilization is the act of putting into practice the clear mandate that Jesus put forth to his disciples at the Great Commission. “Go and and make disciples of all nations….,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded.” (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus’ command to go out includes a command to be obedient to all that he taught and to teach others (presumably those who are to be new disciples) to be obedient to all that he taught.
So how does this cycle work? It is clear that both of these two different commands (Matthew 28:19-20, Romans 12:1-2) were written to believers. God is concerned with the spiritual development of the believer. In addition, he is also concerned with the spiritual condition of all mankind, as evidenced by Jesus’ command to go to those who are not yet disciples. So for the believer, his task is to do all that God had commanded through his word, which includes that believer not conforming to the world, but being transformed by the renewal of his mind. This in turn with cause that believer to think like Christ, to be motivated to do the things that Christ wants him to do, which will then work itself out as participation in the Great Commission. Through the proclamation of the Gospel brought about by obedience to the great commission, new disciples will take on the challenge of not conforming to the world, but being transformed.
Our goal is that every person can participate in this cycle. If you are a new believer, we would love to help you with the next steps in Christian growth. If the call to the Great Commission has you considering international ministry, we can walk through that as well. And our hope is that because of your faithfulness and obedience some others may come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as you live out a transformed life.