How can Christ be formed in You?

PurposeSoul Food

Dec 19

Have you ever wondered how Christ can be formed in you? It’s so easy to re-echo these words without really understanding the gravity. I hope this post clarifies and brings a better understanding of how Christ can be formed in you.

This can only happen as we grow spiritually.

My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you
Galatians 4:19

My friend once narrated the ordeal required in caring for a baby. It takes a whole lot to feed and clean and watch over a baby. Babies demand attention every single step of the way. And you lose sleep because your life revolves around them.

Why?

Because a baby is helpless and depends on everyone around her. Babies cannot do much. They cry when uncomfortable and when they need to poo. But we love them, don't we? We don't mind cleaning their mess when they poo or vomit and would gladly pardon them when they mess up.

"Oh, she's just a baby. It's okay. She doesn't know what she's doing. Let her be.'

But imagine if that baby clocks five or ten years old but doesn’t act like a ten-year-old? The joy initially experienced by the parents will definitely turn into sorrow.

For Christ to be formed in us, Spiritual Growth is essential

Unfortunately, many believers aren’t aware of their eternal purpose and want to remain babies. If we remain babies, we won’t come into the full potential of God’s plan for our lives.

The day we got born again, God and the angels were elated over us. Because He is hoping that the child will one day grow up to become like Jesus within. He is hoping that all the effort he's pouring into that baby will result in something beautiful in the End. That child will grow up to please Him and reflect his nature.

Like Jesus. We can say I and our Father are One because we think alike, respond alike, and love alike.

You can't trust a baby. But you can trust a Son. You can sleep off knowing that your Son will take care of things in your absence.

Because your Son has matured to become like you, and you think alike, you can display him proudly.

In bringing many sons to GLORY, it was fitting for God, for whom and through whom all things exist, to make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. For both the One who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are of the same family. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers - Hebrews 2:10

The Importance of Obedience in Spiritual Maturity

God loves us regardless of our obedience. In the same way, I would love my child regardless of how much he keeps misbehaving.

But I would rather that child obey me so he can become a responsible person in the future. Because after a while, if he continues to misbehave, people will conclude he's a bastard.

The probability of him rolling with the wrong crowd and getting killed is high.

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Sober up as you ought, and stop SINNING; for SOME of you are ignorant of God. I say this to your shame.
1 Corinthians 15:34

Because that child isn't showing traits that can be connected to the Family Tree. Such a child is even ignorant of the way things are done in the family because he keeps rolling with the wrong crowd and doesn’t yield to God.

If you do not experience discipline like everyone else, then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.
Hebrews 12:8

Paul was talking to believers in the above scriptures.

Obedience is the only way our souls can transform into Christ. The more we listen to Christ-centric teachings, the more God gives us instructions to obey and practice what we've heard. And this purpose has been my motivating factor.

Therefore everyone who HEARS these words of mine and puts them into PRACTICE is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
Words of Jesus - Matthew 7:24

Learning to be Led by God

For Christ to be formed in us, we must allow ourselves to be led by God as this shows our cooperation with God. It affirms that we are willing to grow into maturity. We are eager to be transformed.

If I falter, God is there to pick me back up again so I can keep running.- Proverbs 24:16

I move with intention because I have a purpose. I am not running like everyone else. Like Paul, I need to run my race with intention.

There's a purpose for my pain. There's a purpose in every delay. My motivation to stay in the fire is fuelled by obedience to His will.

In my obedience, I am transforming.

Because I am aiming for One thing.

To have Christ formed in me. -Galatians 4:19

Purpose Redefined

As we desire Christ’s formation in us, our purpose is redefined. This purpose strengthens me to wait according to God's timing.

It gradually eliminates my fears: the fear of tomorrow and the fear of being forgotten by the world.
It prevents me from rushing into my own agenda while I wait for God's own agenda.
It coaxes me to keep submitting my will and ways to God while he directs me in His own will and ways.

When we were babies, God had his mind full of us.

Spiritual growth (Adulthood) demands we must in turn have our minds full of Him.

Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?”Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with ALL your HEART and with ALL your SOUL and with ALL your MIND. This is the FIRST and GREATEST commandment.
Matthew 22:38

I hope this purpose helps you refocus and align your goals in the future. I trust God regarding you.