I’m starting a new series at saviorcc.com on Spiritual Formation, and I’ll post it here too.
Dallas Willard gives us some great help here. In his book Renovation of the Heart he defines spiritual formation this way . . .
Spiritual formation for the Christian basically refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self in such a way that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself (p. 22)
In other words, having become partakers of the divine nature we have the image of Christ formed in us. Willard is quick to point out that while this will certainly result in outward changes, it is first and foremost something that happens internally in the heart. What Willard calls “externalism” is probably what most of us mistakenly refer to as legalism. As I explained in a recent message, true legalism involves insisting that one earn their salvation by doing certain external works such as getting circumcised. The specific work or works that are required vary depending on whatever that (so-called) church deems particularly sinful. Legalism is a very bad thing, but what we often mistakenly call legalism (what I sometimes refer to as being legalistic) is probably better described as “externalism.” Externalism involves cleaning the outside of the cup so to speak. It equates spiritual progress, maturity and formation with behavioral modification. True spiritual formation is about having Christ formed in us. Good behavior is commendable and important, but it can often mask a lack of true spiritual formation. Here is how Willard breaks it down,
Love, we hear, is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). Then we mistakenly try to be loving by acting patiently and kindly—and quickly fail. We should always do the best we can in action, of course: but little progress is to be made in that arena until we advance in love itself—the genuine inner readiness and longing to secure the good of others. Until we make significant progress there, our patience and kindness will be shallow and short-lived at best (Willard, 24).
While simply trying hard to change your behave will not add up to true spiritual formation, we shouldn’t think that it is an entirely passive process either. We make a big mistake if we think that Christ is formed within us automatically based on our standing in Him. The error here is in thinking that we should just believe in Christ and expect that He will change us. This is very true in a certain sense, but if we think that we can just sit around doing nothing and watch Christ make us into the people He wants us to be we are mistaken. It simply won’t happen. Think about it for a second. If spiritual formation were automatic and entirely passive then every real believer would be deeplyspiritual and deeply devoted. Sin and failure within the Church would be rare and exceptional. Anyone who had faith would live a consistent and fruitful life in Christ. Non of us would struggle with sin, and all of us would be consistently loving, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. Think about it.
Spiritual (trans)Formation is possible, necessary, and delightful, but it is not automatic or entirely passive. To the contrary Peter teaches that that we have the potential to be “ineffective” and “unfruitful”. What is his prescription for avoiding either? He says to “make every effort” (2 Peter 1:5). This little phrase translates four Greek words that make what feels like a highlighted sentence, in bold, with two exclamation points at the end. Together the first three of the four words mean to do something with all “haste, or earnestness, diligence,” or “enthusiasm”.[1] In other words, “we are to bring into this relationship, alongside what God has done, every ounce of determination we can muster” (Rogers).
Paul put it this way,
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13).
Not “work for” your salvation, but “work out” your salvation—two very different things! Salvation is free for anyone who puts their faith in Christ, but once we are in Christ we are to devote ourselves to working it out. We do it with fear and trembling not because we fear to lose it, but because we fear to take it for granted and neglect the incredibly valuable gift we have been given.
Without getting too far into it in this first entry, let me say that Spiritual (trans)Formation happens most effetely when we “make every effort” to be passively transformed. I know that sounds paradoxical or even contradictory. After all, I just quoted Dallas Willard who said that spiritual formation is not passive! But it is passive in the sense that having Christ formed in us is something that we have done to, us, done in us, and done for us. It is a gift of God’s grace and a work of God’s Spirit.
I know that these concepts can be a little hard for some to hold together, and not all of us enjoy trying to figure stuff like this out. People often have a tendency to reject a more nuanced way of talking about things (I can be that way myself at times with certain subjects), but if we are going to be effective and fruitful (2 Peter 1:8) we need to take some time to think through it. The consequence of just throwing our hands up and saying, “just work hard” on the one hand or “just let go and let God” on the other are dire. They lead to externalism for the first and ineffectiveness for both.
To try and round off this first post let me leave you with this thought. With regard to Spiritual (trans)Formation, we must carefully hold these two ides together: First, Spiritual formation is not to be had through formula-based methods or mere human behavior modification. Second, Spiritual formation nonetheless requires the application of reliable methods to place us on a path in which Christ can do His work and be formed within. So we can say with great care that spiritual formation is organic, living and relational, but it is also reliable and strangely predictable. Let me boil my point down to a couple sentences: God does all the work to save us and God is the one who changes us, yet we must work hard at letting Him change us! We do this through prayer, Bible study, fellowship, fasting, and a host of other Spiritual disciplines that put us in a position to be changed. That is what this series is about.
