I once attended a meeting where a 16-year-old boy sang several gospel songs, and as he sang, his face shone with the joy of the Lord. I learned later that he had grown up in a horrible home environment. From the age of 12 he had been sent out to steal to support his family, while his father and mother would sleep off their drunken stupors. Within a year he was also stealing to support his own drug habit, which his life of crime had led to. He had been arrested for theft and drunkenness, and had been in and out of juvenile correctional centers. But one day some young people met him on the street and led him to receive Jesus, and his life was completely transformed.

          How had that transformation taken place? There’s a verse in the Bible that says, “We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory” (2 Corinthians 3:18). The transformation takes place by beholding Jesus. Many people try to transform their lives with human striving and carnal willpower, but through self-effort they can never experience the kind of transformation that boy did—never! It can only happen as we behold Jesus. “Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27).

          Jesus said, “Abide in Me, and let Me abide in you” (John 15:4). This is the secret of the transformed life: Jesus abiding in you and living out His life through you. He does the transforming! He’ll change your life for the better if you’ll give Him the chance!