Transformation

by Ken Oliver

What does Chicago Bible Society do?  I have been asked that question many times.  We distribute Bibles – or at least that is what we used to do.  We still provide Bibles, but it is not the only thing we do.  I would then go through the list of programs that we do, but it felt like I would lose people.  Then when they seemed puzzled, I would over-explain the programs.  It only got worse.  I think of myself as a pretty good communicator, but I found myself communicating poorly about something very important.

Then it dawned on me: “transformation.”  We are in the transformation business.  The Bible changes people’s lives.  God works in many wonderful ways – acts of love and compassion can be transformative.  Sharing about our personal encounter with God and fellowshipping together are also transformative.  But – and this I truly believe – no deep and profound transformation can happen apart from God’s Word.  When God really acts to change a person’s life, He uses the Bible as the primary means. 

The challenge today is that so many Christians are living a life only partly or shallowly transformed because they do not know the Bible and do not have the tools or encouragement to seriously read the Scriptures.  That is our task.  We are in the transformation business.