“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” – Galatians 4:19
LIGHT FOR NOW: Union with Christ is not only about where the believer is positioned; it is also about what that union produces in the believer. Christ in us must increasingly become Christ expressed through us.
Paul gives us a beautiful picture of spiritual growth when he says, “Until Christ be formed in you”. Notice that Paul does not merely want Christ to be present in them. He desires that Christ be formed in them. The Greek word translated “formed” is morphoo, meaning “to form, shape, or bring into a recognizable expression.” Paul is speaking about the development of Christ’s character in the believer. This is important because union with Christ does not mean that spiritual growth becomes unnecessary. We have received new life, but we must continually grow in the expression of that life.
A child may possess the life of his parents from birth, yet he must grow into maturity. In the same way, the believer possesses the life of Christ but must grow in understanding, character, and spiritual maturity. This is why Christianity is not merely about being born again; it is also about being transformed. Romans 12:2 say, “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind”. The Christian already has a new identity in Christ, but his thinking must increasingly agree with that identity. This is where the Word becomes important.
The Word reveals Christ to us, and as we behold Him, our lives are transformed. 2Corinthians 3:18 says that we are changed into the same image from glory to glory. The goal is not simply that people know we attend church. The goal is that they encounter something of Christ through our lives. When Christ is being formed in you, love begins to replace bitterness. Patience begins to replace irritation. Faith begins to replace fear. Humility begins to replace pride. Truth begins to replace deception. The character of Christ begins to become visible. This does not happen overnight. Spiritual formation is a process.
There are areas where you may still need growth, but growth does not mean Christ is absent. It means His life is being increasingly expressed through you. The believer must therefore never confuse position with maturity. Your position in Christ is established by grace. Your maturity in expressing Christ develops as you grow. You are already accepted in Christ, but you are still being transformed into His likeness. This is why spiritual growth matters. God is not merely interested in putting Christ in you; He desires that the Christ who lives in you becomes increasingly visible through you. Glory!
INSTRUCTION: Ask yourself today: “What aspect of Christ’s character needs to become more visible in me?” Submit that area to the Word and allow the Spirit to produce Christ’s character through you.
CONFESSION: Christ is being formed in me. My mind, words, attitudes, and actions increasingly reflect Him. I grow in spiritual maturity, and the life of Christ becomes more visible through me every day, in Jesus Name. Amen!
FOR MORE LIGHT, get the message ‘Understanding Salvation’ by Prophet Dr John Linus.
QUOTE: Spiritual maturity is Christ in you becoming increasingly recognizable through you.
DAILY BIBLE READING: MORNING: GALATIANS CHAPTER 4; EVENING: 2CORINTHIANS CHAPTER 3
