DISCOVERING TRANSFORMATION THROUGH COMMUNION

The new creation described in Scripture lies buried deep within us, often hidden beneath the weight of humanistic traditions and doctrinal misinterpretations. Sadly, we often get so caught up with the map that we forget about the treasure we are looking for. It is as a vast treasure, waiting for discovery by us. The transformation we seek lies not far from us, but it has been obscured by layers of worldly philosophies, human reasoning, and the heavy burden of accumulated Church traditions.

The moment Christ died on the cross, He made a way for the old self to die—come to an end—and be buried, In it’s place a new life emerges—one of purity, power, and divine purpose. Yet, despite this revolutionary act, the reality of this new creation remains largely concealed, untapped and trapped beneath the dust of misunderstanding and disinformation and requires spiritual excavation.

In this fog of misinterpretation, one of the most profound and sacred mysteries has been reduced to a mere ritual—a symbolic act we perform without realizing its deeper significance. Have we inadvertently made the symbols of bread and wine into idols?

This wouldn’t be the first time this has happened either.

The bronze serpent, lifted high by Moses in the wilderness, was intended as a powerful symbol of deliverance and healing, a prefigurement of Christ Himself.

As a result of the Israelite’s rebellion and complaints, as venomous serpents crawled through their world, this image was meant to redirect their gaze from their suffering to God’s mercy and power (Numbers 21:8-9). When the people looked upon the bronze serpent, they were saved from death, healed from poison, and reminded of their dependency on God.

However, over time, what was meant to be a symbol pointing toward Christ and His redemptive work was turned into an idol. The Israelites began to worship the bronze serpent, transforming it into an object of false devotion, and an echo of their tendency to cling to visible things and miss the unseen power of God.

It became so engrained that Hezekiah, generations later, had to destroy it, breaking it into pieces to turn Israel’s heart back to the Lord (2 Kings 18:4). The bronze serpent, once a testament to God’s deliverance, had become “Nehushtan,” just “a piece of bronze,” devoid of power, a pertinent reminder that even the holiest symbols can lose their true meaning when they replace rather than lead us to God.

In our desire to “remember” Christ, have we mistakenly replaced communion with the living Christ with mere outward symbols featured in a Church Service? Correctly understood, “remembering” refers to a change and specifically an elevation of spiritual consciousness.

The key to unearthing the new creation within us lies in returning to the true essence of spiritual communion—engaging with Christ in a deeply intimate, transformative way, rather than merely observing a tradition.

This goes far beyond a traditional service celebrating elements equally devoid of power.

True communion is offering ourselves in worship to God. It is in participating in true communion with the living Christ that the new creation rises, fully awakened to its purpose and power.

THE BURIAL OF THE OLD SELF AND THE NEW CREATION WITHIN US

Physically, this new creation, a spiritual reality, is embedded within our mortal bodies, waiting for the moment of its discovery and awakening. It remains dormant, buried beneath the weight of sin and the old nature that still has a stronghold over our thoughts, actions, and beliefs.

The new creation is not simply an abstract theological concept but a radical, living transformation meant to be revealed in our lives. However, this new life, like a seed, often stays concealed under the debris of worldly ideologies, misplaced traditions, and human wisdom, preventing it from emerging in all its beauty.

Just as a seed must be planted deep in the soil to grow, the new creation has been planted within the shell of our bodies.

The new creation within us is like a treasure buried in a field, as Jesus illustrated in Matthew 13:44,

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.”

In this parable, the treasure represents the immeasurable value of the kingdom of God, which is at work in us. Christ has planted this treasure—the life of the new creation—within us, or more correctly, within our bodies which He refers to as “the field.” Despite its immense worth, the reality of the new creation within remains obscured, awaiting discovery.

When Christ died and was resurrected, He provided the way for this new creation to emerge, yet for many, the treasure remains buried, hidden beneath the surface of our everyday reality, that is, the physical reality. 2 Corinthians 4:7 also captures this paradox:

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”

The treasure in this passage is the life of Christ, the new creation that believers carry within. Our bodies, frail and imperfect like jars of clay, house the divine, precious treasure of God’s presence and power. The key is that this treasure is not contained in something outwardly powerful or magnificent; rather, it resides in something ordinary and fragile.

Herein lies a profound truth: we must not allow ourselves to become so consumed by the ordinary that we overlook the extraordinary quietly unfolding right under our noses.

What can be more fragile, more fleeting, than the dust of the ground from which the earthenware jar, a field and the human body were formed? (Genesis 2:7) This dust, the very essence of our earthly frame, seems a poor vessel to contain such a treasure. Yet within this fragile jar of clay, a precious treasure is hidden—a life, a new creation, planted deep within, waiting to emerge.

In both the parable of the treasure in the field and Paul’s metaphor of the treasure in jars of clay, we are reminded that the life of Christ—this new creation—is not something to be left hidden or dormant. It is meant to be unearthed, to shine through, and to transform our lives. As the apostle Paul states in Romans 6:4,

“We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”

The burial of our old self in Christ and the resurrection of the new creation happens in the hidden spaces of our hearts, only made known through spiritual communion with Him apart from a specific church service dedicated to ritualistic or sacramental “communion.” Just as the man in the parable joyfully sells everything to acquire the treasure, we too must be willing to surrender the distractions, misconceptions and false tradition that keep us from experiencing the fullness of the new life Christ offers.

If the world is a crime scene, and it is, then the human heart is an archaeological site. Yes, the new creation treasure is buried within, and an artifact of the Kingdom of God and it is waiting to be excavated. The debris must be sifted away, and through our intimate communion with the living Christ—yielding to His presence, letting go of the world’s distractions—the treasure is raised from within to see the light of day. As Ephesians 2:10 declares,

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

The treasure of the new creation, hidden in our “jars of clay,” “in the soil of the earth,” is meant for a purpose—to display God’s glory and power through our lives. And as we walk in communion with Christ, the true value of the new creation within is brought to light, transforming us from the inside out.

Spiritual communion is not based on self-reliance or hollow rituals, but in the fertile soil of the Spiritual Practice. Only when we unearth this truth—by clearing away the debris of distorted beliefs—can we allow the new creation to truly emerge and transform us from the within.

Cultivating Eden Within: Nurturing the New Creation in a Chaotic World

The Garden of Eden serves as a profound symbol of the New Creation, planted by God within the wider creation—a sanctuary of divine order and flourishing life set within a world yet to be fully tamed.

Just as Eden was planted as a glimpse of heaven on earth, the New Creation planted within us is a divine spark that reflects the pattern of Heaven for all creation. This garden within the creation is designed to grow, develop, and ultimately transform the wider world into a reflection of God’s perfect harmony and love. The garden represents a New Order in the world, a world that acts as the womb of creation.

In Genesis 2:15, God gives humanity the responsibility “to cultivate and protect” the garden of God, symbolizing our role to nurture and guard this New Creation, encouraging its growth and shielding it from anything that might disrupt its sanctity. Just as Adam and Eve were tasked with expanding Eden’s harmony, we are called to grow and protect the New Creation within us so that it spreads outward, touching every aspect of our lives and extending God’s order beyond ourselves.

Genesis 1:26-28 calls humanity to “fill the earth and subdue it,” a command to extend God’s order throughout all creation. Just as the garden was planted within creation to be cultivated and spread, the New Creation has been placed within us to grow and expand, ultimately transforming the surrounding “wilderness” of the world into a reflection of Eden’s beauty and order.

This garden, the New Creation, is our inheritance in Christ. As we tend to it—through spiritual practices, faith, and love—we actively partner with God to bring His life and order into every aspect of our existence.

We are invited to make this garden flourish, allowing God’s transformative power to radiate outward, reaching into the farthest, chaotic edges of our world. In nurturing this New Creation, we participate in God’s vision, extending Eden’s beauty until His kingdom comes in fullness, and the earth itself is made new.

COOPERATING WITH GOD’S TRANSFORMATION

To cooperate with God’s transformative work, we must engage in a deliberate process of spiritual renewal that begins within the deepest recesses of our hearts and works its way outward, shaping not only our actions but expresses our very nature—the new creation.

While our spirits were instantly transformed at the moment of salvation, the outworking of this transformation is not immediate in every area of our lives. It unfolds gradually, working its way into every aspect of our being and every corner of our existence. Just as the seed of a tree is planted within the soil, and the roots slowly grow to nourish and strengthen the entire plant, but also to stabilise the soil it inhabits, so too does the transformation of our inner being gradually permeate our thoughts, actions, relationships, and character.

This process is ongoing, a continual unfolding of the new creation within us, as the Holy Spirit works to align our will with God’s, renewing our minds and reshaping our hearts. The transformation begins in the spiritual realm, where our hearts are made new, but it takes time to manifest outwardly in our daily lives, in the way we think, speak, and act. The change is often subtle, unfolding moment by moment, sometimes even imperceptibly, as we cooperate with God’s work in us.

This ongoing process is a journey of sanctification—a divine process in which the grace of God gradually works its way through the layers of our soul, purifying us, refining us, and moulding our behaviour more into the image of Christ.

As we walk in step with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to illuminate the areas of our lives that still need His transforming touch, we become more fully who we were always meant to be—vessels of honour, reflections of God’s glory, and instruments of His will on earth.

This transformation touches every part of who we are—the way we think, the choices we make, the way we love, serve, and relate to others. It is not just about spiritual growth but about holistic change—body, soul, and spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

Our entire being is being brought into alignment with the truth of the gospel, and this process is something we actively participate in, yielding our hearts and lives to God’s transforming power as He works through us to accomplish His will.

It is a journey, one that requires patience and perseverance, but the promise of Scripture is clear:

“He who began this good work in us will bring it to completion.” (Philippians 1:6).

Thus, the transformation of our lives is both an instant reality and a lifelong journey. While we are already made new in Christ, the outworking of that newness continues, touching every part of our lives, as we surrender more fully to God’s will and allow His power to reshape us, moment by moment, into His likeness.

To Practice or Not To Practice

It is a gradual transformation, one that is not merely about outward appearances but about the subtle, unseen work of the Holy Spirit, transforming us from the inside out. This is where true spiritual practice comes into play.

Spiritual practice is the cornerstone of this process. It is through these practices—prayer, meditation, worship, the acts of communion—that we allow ourselves to be shaped by God’s presence and His transformative power.

And yet, it is often surprising how we, as a community of believers, can become so focused on the material aspects of religious tradition, while neglecting the deeper, invisible truths they are meant to represent. The external rituals, while meaningful, are not the destination but the signposts to a far greater destination: they are the instruments that point us to the divine.

No amount of bread and wine can replace face-to-face time with the Lord.

Take communion, for instance. It is a practice that has been at the heart of Christian tradition for centuries. On the surface, it appears to be simply the sharing of bread and wine, tangible symbols of Christ’s body and blood. Yet, when reduced to a mere ritual or Sunday service, it loses its profound spiritual significance.

Communion is intended to be much more than an outward physical act—it is meant to be an inward experience of union with Christ. It is a sacred time when we, as believers, align ourselves with the transformative power of His sacrifice, allowing His life to flow through us, shaping our hearts and minds to become more like Him. And that means spending abiding time waiting on Him in prayer. As He Himself said in John 15:4-5,

“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Too often, however, the true essence of communion gets obscured by the surrounding traditions.

The bread and wine, powerful symbols, can become so central that they are mistaken for the full meaning of communion itself. We focus on the external elements—the ritual, the bread, the wine—without fully engaging with the invisible, spiritual truths they represent: the death, resurrection, and life of Christ within us, renewing us from the inside out. In this process, we miss the deeper call to partake not only in the physical elements but in the very life of Christ.

Spiritual practice, at its core, is not about the repetition of rituals for ritual’s sake. It is about allowing the material world to point us toward the spiritual world, guiding us toward a deeper relationship with God in spiritual worship as Jesus instructed us in John 4:23-24,

“But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

We are called to move beyond the physical and push into the spiritual. In the act of communion, we should not only recognize the body and blood of Christ but also the new creation He has formed within us, shaping our lives, and transforming us into His image. The bread is not just bread, and the wine is not just wine; they are symbols of the spiritual nourishment that sustains us, Christ Himself as stated in John 4 and John 15, which is the eternal truth that reorders our lives, our thinking, and our being.

This shift in focus—from the material to the spiritual, from the external to the internal—requires a deep commitment in how we approach our faith with intellectual honesty and spiritual integrity. It is about seeing through the outward expressions of worship to the deep, spiritual truths they embody.

In communion, we partake not just of bread and wine, but of the living Christ, who nourishes the new creation within. Without true communion the New Creation will remain buried and hidden from sight. This is the heart of spiritual transformation—the work that begins within and manifests outwardly in every aspect of our lives, as we more fully align ourselves with God’s will and His divine purpose for us through our spiritual practice.

Thus, the call to spiritual transformation is not merely about reforming our outward actions but about surrendering our hearts and lives to God, inviting Him indwell us as we indwell Him, and allowing His power to work in and through us. In doing so, we not only experience the fullness of communion but also the fullness of life in Christ—a life that is continually growing and expanding.

COMMUNION: BEYOND THE PHYSICAL TO SPIRITUAL UNION

Christian communion is often understood as a simple event, centered on physical elements—bread and wine—representing the body and blood of Jesus. But what if the true meaning of communion goes far beyond these tangible symbols? If we are called to worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24), shouldn’t our understanding of communion shift from material focus to spiritual engagement?

When we see the elements of communion as mere symbols, signposts pointing the way, we open ourselves to a richer, more profound experience of spiritual union with Christ. Communion is not about partaking in physical food, but about a deeper, spiritual connection that transcends the ritual. The bread and wine represent Christ’s transformative power, but they are not that that transformative power. For us to experience the transformation, we must come to him

By viewing communion not just as a ritual, but as a doorway into deeper spiritual realities, we allow it to activate a profound inner transformation. As we do this, we allow ourselves to experience the living presence of Christ, awakening to the reality of our new identity in Him.

THE AWAKENING OF SPIRITUAL CONSCIOUSNESS

The shift from a material focus to a spiritual one is crucial for spiritual awakening. Communion, when approached with the right mindset, activates spiritual consciousness. It enables us to rise above the physical realm and begin to engage with the spiritual truth of our new identity in Christ. This awakening reveals the reality of the new creation within us, which is no longer bound by material existence but is alive in Christ, united with the Divine.

As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry beautifully said in Le Petit Prince,

“One sees clearly only with the heart. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”

This truth speaks directly to the heart of spiritual life. The essence of our communion with God—the core of our identity in Christ—is invisible to the eyes, perceived only through spiritual awakening.

THE SPIRITUAL LIFE: SEEING WITH THE HEART

In our modern world, we are conditioned to rely heavily on our physical senses. But true spiritual life demands that we see beyond the physical and begin to perceive the unseen, the essence of who we are in Christ. To experience life from this elevated state of consciousness, we must focus on what God has placed within us, rather than on our physical circumstances.

This spiritual awakening enables us to see beyond appearances, and to engage with the deeper reality of our union with Christ. It’s an invitation to step into the mystery of God’s love and power, to experience a transformation that isn’t merely external but works its way from the inside out.

REMEMBERING THROUGH THE COMMUNION OF PRAYER

Hosea 4:6 reminds us,

“My people are destroyed becasue of a lack of knowledge.”

Many view communion simply as a mental recollection of Christ’s death and resurrection. While this is valuable, it does not equate to true communion with God.

But how does remembering Christ’s sacrifice impart grace to us? And if no transformation accompanies this grace, then what does that say about our practice?

True communion, as taught by Jesus, is not just a mental exercise; it is a continuous, intimate union with the risen Chris—it’s a spiritual practice.

A.W. Tozer, in The Pursuit of God, explains that,

“Faith is the gaze of a soul upon a saving God.”

So not through outward rituals, but through a continual inward awareness of His presence, and that by abiding prayer.

Thomas Merton in New Seeds of Contemplation echoes this:

“We are not converted only once in our lives but many times.”

True spiritual transformation is not a one-time event but an ongoing series of conversions that lead to a deeper relationship with Christ. This is the process of spiritual awakening—an experience not of intellectual knowledge but of heart-level perception.

THE TRUE PURPOSE OF COMMUNION: A SPIRITUAL UNION

St. Teresa of Ávila, in The Interior Castle, writes,

“There is only one way to know God: by loving Him and by letting oneself be loved.”

Spiritual communion requires an inner awakening—a willingness to experience and recognize divine love that transcends the physical senses.

The critical point here is that true spiritual communion—truly engaging with God’s presence—is an inward experience. When we focus too heavily on the material elements, we risk missing the deeper, spiritual truths they symbolize. Communion is meant to be a reminder of our union with Christ, an opportunity to experience the divine in a deeply personal, transformative way.

CONCLUSION: TRANSFORMATION THROUGH SPIRITUAL AWARENESS

Many misunderstand communion, reducing it to an empty ritual devoid of any power. The failure to experience transformation through communion often stems from a lack of true biblical understanding. As John Piper and R.C. Sproul have pointed out, traditions must align with Scripture, not become idols. Communion is meant to be a sacred act that draws us into a deep, spiritual union with Christ, where His presence continually transforms us.

Have we unintentionally turned the symbols of bread and wine into idols, thereby substituting the living Christ with them?

If we approach communion with a material focus, we miss the very life-giving power it offers. It is through spiritual awareness—seeing with the heart—that we can truly partake in communion’s transformative power. As Paul reminds us in Romans 1:16,

“The gospel is the power of God that saves [transforms] everyone who believes.”

Communion is a sacred opportunity to engage with that power, to experience the life-altering transformation it promises. But it requires openness, faith, and a willing surrender to God’s grace.

As Jesus said in John 8:31-32,

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

True freedom and transformation come not from outward rituals but from a heart attuned to God’s presence, ready to embrace the fullness of what Christ offers.

Rediscovering Eden: Cultivating the Garden Within

I often hear Christians lament,

“If only we still lived in the Garden of Eden.”

This sentiment, though understandable, misses a profound truth: Eden is not lost; it has, in fact, been relocated within us. Far from being some distant, unreachable paradise, Eden now resides in the hearts of those who are in Christ.

Eden, as a historic reality, paints a mystical picture that acts as a blueprint of what happened in the New Creation. When we lost access to the Garden, we not only lost to a physical location, we also lost access to an elevated state of being.

The potential for the Garden to grow and flourish still exists, only now it has been entrusted to us to cultivate from the inside out. What is within us will overflow, shaping not just our lives but the world around us.

Yet, despite this glorious truth, many Christians find themselves discouraged, sensing that their lives more closely resemble a barren wilderness than a lush garden. This is merely a symptom of an untended and neglected inner garden. Instead of Eden’s abundance, they see only lack, brokenness, and need wherever they turn.

If we follow this analogy to its true conclusion, we see that cries for a “new world order” or the motto “order out of chaos” are profoundly misplaced. Christ Himself already inaugurated a divine new order—one that begins not with external systems but within the heart. This inner transformation, the new creation within, is the ultimate answer to chaos, and it begins with each of us. In Luke 17:20-21, when the Pharisees demand a visible kingdom, Jesus replies,

“The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.”

Here, Christ’s words reveal something astonishing: this new order doesn’t depend on outward signs or grand displays but is rather a revolutionary shift within.

The phrase “in the midst of you” (ἐντὸς ὑμῶν) can be interpreted as both “among you” and “inside you,” suggesting a dual meaning. The Kingdom exists not only through Christ’s immediate presence among His people but also within each believer as a transforming power. This divine new order begins as a seed within us, bringing God’s order into our lives, which then extends outward—transforming families, communities, and ultimately, the world itself.

Why do believers not see the outward transformation? It is often because we overlook the divine potential within us, failing to heed the first and most fundamental command given to humanity: to cultivate and protect the garden entrusted into our care (Genesis 2:15).

Though invisible at first, the “kingdom seed” planted within each believer contains atomic potential—power that, when nurtured, can transform lives and ripple out to influence the world.

This is not mere self-help or positive thinking. It is a return to the Edenic calling, to partner with God in cultivating order from chaos, life from lifelessness, and abundance from what seems barren. The Eden within us, though unseen, holds the power to heal, restore, and renew not just our lives, but the whole creation. Let us cultivate it, and witness the Kingdom emerge. As 3 John 1:2 states,

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, even as it goes well with your soul.”

It turns out that Christianity is an inside-out job.

In Summary

The New Creation is the pearl of great price, a treasure of immeasurable worth (Matthew 13:46). Yet, it is only those who immerse themselves in the language and rhythm of the spiritual realm—the spiritual practices—that will not only uncover this precious pearl, but also come to understand its true value. This hidden treasure has been within us all along, veiled beneath layers of earthly distractions, waiting for us to recognize its glory and significance.

In this journey of discovery, the key lies in our engagement with spiritual practices that cultivate deeper connection and understanding. Just as a pearl is formed through a process of gradual transformation, so too does the New Creation within us require time, intention, and participation in practices that bring us into closer union with Christ and deepen our connection to God.

Whatever you do, do not make the mistake of not recognising what is hidden right under your nose :)

Questions To Consider

As we close this reflection, consider these questions:

What is the true purpose of communion, and how can it be used to experience a deeper spiritual union with Christ?

Communion is not merely a ritual; it is an invitation to participate in the life of Christ with Christ, to partake of His sacrifice, and to commune with Him in a deeply spiritual way. How can we approach it not just as a symbol, but as an avenue for profound intimacy with the Saviour?

How does the new creation, hidden within us, emerge and impact our lives, and what are the spiritual practices that facilitate this transformation?

The New Creation is not a distant concept but a living reality waiting to be unearthed. What practices—prayer, meditation, scripture reading, confession and worship—are essential in unlocking this hidden treasure and allowing it to shape our thoughts, words, and actions?

What is the difference between a material focus and a spiritual focus in spiritual practices, and how does this shift affect our relationship with God?

Spiritual practices grounded in a material paradigm often focus on external rituals and symbols, but true transformation begins within. How does shifting our focus from the outward to the inward affect the depth of our relationship with God, and how can this shift guide us toward a more authentic, life-changing experience of His presence?