Spiritual Formation
What do you think? What is spiritual formation all about? I think it is simply becoming what God has meant you to be. It is the process of becoming Christ-like. It is growing in con-FORM-ity to Christ.
How does it happen? Only by letting God work in and through us. We can facilitate the process of spiritual formation but it’s always God’s work, not ours.
Let this same attitude and purpose and [humble] mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus. (Phil.2:5, AMP,*)
What could this mean to you and me? How should this affect our daily living? How could we adopt the attitude of Christ and ooze it every single day? These are my questions lately.
It is fun to spend a lot of time with family and friends on vacation. But it also brings to light the state of our spiritual being. Are we humble as Christ? Do we care more for others than for self? Are we patient and kind? Do we keep score of the wrong-doings of others? Do we bless others even when we are hurt?
Ouch. We are guilty as charged. We are still works in progress. But when we abide in Christ, God is working in us. And this is the secret of spiritual formation. We can adopt the attitude of Christ by abiding in him. The more we spend time with him, the more like him we become. Spiritual formation happens through assimilation. We can’t make it happen. But it happens by grace when we just abide in Christ.
Gracious God,
We want to be conformed to Christ.
Don’t delay the process.
Help us to love like you and
live like you.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Q4U: How do you see spiritual formation?
Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you are con-form-ed to Christ!
[As you might have noticed, I enjoy reading the Bible in different translations and love comparing them. I have started linking the Bible verses to Biblegateway.com so you can easily read (and compare) them in the different versions I’ve used while preparing each post.]
Image courtesy of Lianne T., design Mari-Anna Stålnacke. Linking up today with Sharing His Beauty, Unforced Rhythms, Playdates with God, and counting blessings with Ann Voskamp: #1128 God is at charge of our spiritual formation. #1129 Spiritual formations happens when we abide in Christ. #1130 Spiritual formation is growing in conformity to Christ.
8 thoughts on “Spiritual Formation”
My formation is an ongoing process as I continue trying to become what HE wants me to be and striving to see that vision more clearly.
That’s wonderful, Mary. It is indeed a life-long process in His grace. Thanks for chiming in! Abundant blessings!
“The more we spend time with him, the more like him we become. Spiritual formation happens through assimilation. We can’t make it happen. But it happens by grace when we just abide in Christ.”
Beautifully true, Mari-Anna. I’m currently memorizing John 15, and hearing over and over “Abide in the vine” is growing deeper into my soul.
Oh, yes. It really is all about abiding in the vine. Thanks, Lisa! Blessings to you and yours!
I first heard the term “Spiritual Formation” about 10 years ago, and it’s been echoing in my spirit ever sense. I think it’s a wonderful term for reminding us that our growth is a process, a continual changing and an allowing of the Spirit to do the forming of us. Thanks for linking with Unforced Rhythms.
Yes, it’s the life-long process of the Spirit making us conFORMed to Christ. It’s about embracing all the gifts of God here and now. Thanks for sharing here and hosting Unforced Rhythms. Big blessings to you, Beth!
I see it much the way you describe it here, Mari-Anna. Very good description. I am often comforted in the knowledge that my sanctification is an ongoing process! And that it is God’s work–not mine. Amen to that.
Amen to that indeed! It is indeed all grace. Thanks, Laura. Blessings upon Blessings!