Christ Formed in Us

Paul wrote to the Galatian believers with the heart of a spiritual father: “My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). He was not satisfied that they had merely heard the gospel or begun the journey. He prayed, laboured, taught, corrected, and loved them because he wanted the character of Jesus to take shape in their lives.

God’s goal is not only that we believe in Jesus, but that Christ is formed in us. Spiritual growth is not merely becoming a more successful or polished version of ourselves. It is becoming more like Jesus in our thoughts, desires, speech, reactions, relationships and actions.

Every day something is forming us. The world presses its values upon us. Pain can form us. Success can form us. Disappointment, comfort, entertainment, relationships, habits, and even fear, can shape what we love and how we respond. The question is not whether we are being formed. The question is: into whose image are we being formed?

Paul urges believers, “Be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Romans 12:2). The world wants to squeeze us into its mould, but the Holy Spirit is transforming us into the likeness of Christ. Christianity is more than attending church, mastering doctrine or learning religious behaviour. It is the life of Jesus becoming increasingly visible in ordinary life.

Paul writes, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5). Christlike formation teaches us to think as Jesus thought, love as He loved, forgive as He forgave, serve as He served and respond as He responded. Salvation rescues us from sin but God loves us too much to leave us unchanged.

This transformation occurs as we behold Jesus. Scripture says that as we behold the glory of the Lord, we “are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). We become like the One upon whom we continually fix our attention. If our minds are constantly filled with anger, envy, fear and worldly ambition, those things will shape us. When we turn our attention towards Jesus through Scripture, prayer, worship and obedience, His Spirit reshapes us.

Formation is rarely comfortable. A potter applies pressure to clay. A refiner uses fire to remove impurities. Paul described discipleship as travail, the intense labour that comes before birth. Becoming like Jesus is not casual. Some attitudes must be corrected, some habits must be surrendered, and some parts of the old nature must die so the life of Christ can be revealed.

Jesus said that anyone who follows Him must deny self, take up the cross daily and follow Him (Luke 9:23). Paul testified, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me” (Galatians 2:20). Transformation is costly, but it is also deeply rewarding. We lose the rule of the old self and discover the life for which God created us.

Even our trials can become tools of formation. Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. The next verse explains that purpose: we are “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). The good is not always immediate comfort, an easy path, or the answer we expected. Sometimes the good is that patience, compassion, humility, courage and faith are being formed in us.

We are still a work in progress. God is not only taking us somewhere. He is making us into someone who resembles Jesus. The Potter knows what He is forming, even while the clay is still on the wheel.

That is why Scripture tells us to “put on the new man,” which is renewed after the image of our Creator (Colossians 3:10). We deliberately put on mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness, and above all, love (Colossians 3:12–14). At first a Christlike response may feel unfamiliar because it does not match our old habits. Forgiveness may require deliberate obedience. Patience may take prayer and restraint. Humility may feel costly. Yet repeated obedience creates new patterns as the Spirit changes us from within.

This is not hypocrisy. Hypocrisy performs without intending to change. Discipleship obeys because we genuinely desire to become like Jesus. Like a music student imitating a teacher, we practise His ways until Christlike responses increasingly become our responses.

This is also the goal of making disciples. We are not trying to make people resemble our personality, preferences or traditions. We want them to know Jesus, obey His Word and reflect His character. That requires more than transferring information. It requires prayer, relationship, example, correction, encouragement, patience and time. Paul travailed until Christ was formed in people. True disciple-makers carry that same loving burden.

Before we can help form disciples, we must remain teachable ourselves. We should open Scripture and pray, “Lord, show me what to do, and I will obey.” Revelation becomes transformation when it is practised. We can be busy with kingdom work and still stagnate inwardly. Activity is not always maturity. God wants our ministry to flow from a life that is continually being shaped by Jesus.

One day the process will be complete. Scripture promises, “When he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2). Until then keep beholding Jesus. Keep putting on His character. Keep growing, obeying and becoming. As Christ is formed in us, our families, church, neighbours and those we disciple receive a clearer picture of what following Jesus truly looks like

TODAY’S RESPONSE
Choose one Christlike quality from Colossians 3:12–14 that needs to grow in you. Practise it intentionally today, then share with someone you disciple what God is teaching you.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, form Your character in me. Renew my mind and keep my eyes fixed upon You. Use Your Word, Your Spirit, my relationships and even my trials to make me more like You. Help me put on mercy, humility, patience, forgiveness and love. Keep me teachable and help me disciple others with prayer, truth, grace and a life worth following. In Jesus’ name, amen.