CHRIST FORMED WITHIN -- Monday:
"My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you" (Gal 4:19, NASB)" KJV
The objective of God for those in Christ is not realized until Christ is "formed" within them. His purpose for us involves more than getting rid of our sin. That is essential to the realization of His purpose, but is not the purpose itself. Neither, indeed, is the Lord's goal for us to simply find us keeping a set of finely defined rules. In God's kingdom, character -- participating in the Divine nature -- can produce rule keeping; but rule keeping can never produce character, or result in conformity to the Divine image. Fifteen hundred years of the administration of Law confirm this to be the case.
The formation of Christ within, in its ultimate sense, involves the eradication of "flesh," or the Adamic nature. In the progressive sense, it is "growing up into Him in all things" (Eph 4:15), and being "changed from glory unto glory" (2 Cor 3:18). No progress is made in spiritual life where a likeness to Christ is not found to some increasing degree. Our Savior's other-worldly frame of mind, continual attentiveness to the Father, and aggressive desire for the will of God to be done in Him, are absolutely essential to His formation within us. There is no provision in salvation that allows for this formation to be ignored.
Notice what is said! It is Christ formed in us, not us working ourselves into His likeness! It is God Himself who accomplishes this work through the Spirit. It is He who "works in us both to will and to do of His own good pleasure" (Phil 2:13). It is the Father who has placed us in Christ and makes Him to be to us "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor 1:30). If God does not do the work, it will not be done! Faith relies upon Him "performing" this glorious work "until the day of Christ" (Phil 1:6).
Jesus, in this case, is the "Author and Perfecter" (Finisher) of the work started in us (Heb 12:2). The outcome of that work is the formation of Christ within — the domination of our entire personality with the Divine mind. All of this is accomplished with our full consent. Our wills are not violated, and the Divine nature is not compromised!
Bringing the saints to maturity is like giving birth to them again. Paul travailed "in birth AGAIN until Christ be formed in them." This is the most challenging aspect of the Divine working – not getting us out of sin, but forming Christ in us. No conversion is properly completed, until Christ is formed in the individual. In a preliminary sense, this occurs when we are spiritually mature. Then the things of God make sense to us, the burden is light, His commandments are not grievous, and the "Day Star" rises in our hearts (Eph 1:18-20; Matt 11:30; 1 John 5:3; 2 Pet 1:19). In Christ, everything is working to this end.
The work of Christ being "formed" in us is difficult because of the proliferation of zealous teachers of the Law. Law, you see, will not let God do His work! It insists upon the primary work being done by the individual. The Law promises life to those who "DO," not to those who believe. Under Law, it is the "DOERS" who are justified, not those who, by faith, allow God to do the work.
No person can be justified apart from Christ. That includes coming into Christ and Christ being formed in the individual. Faith allows the formation of Christ within. It also rejoices in the anticipation of its completion. Ultimately, the formation will be complete when Jesus comes in all of His glory. Then, "we shall also appear with Him in glory" (Col 3:4), and be "like Him" (1 John 3:1-3). Until then, the work is being completed.
Law forbids the accomplishment of that work! It sees duty as a pillar, and the human will as the driving engine. In reality, however, faith is the pillar, and the purpose of God is the engine. Faith opens the way for the completion of the Divine purpose. It moves us into the "potter's house" (Jer 18:1-6), where the real work is accomplished.
The predestinated purpose of God is our conformity to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29). Woe to the person or system that hinders that process, or causes the individual to imagine such a thing is not possible. Heavenly resources are devoted to this work, and worldly ones opposed to it. The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are engaged in this work. They are consistent in it. The devil and his hosts of darkness are set to resist it in every way. They are also consistent in their work.
Make it your aim to have Christ formed in you. Determine to have your thoughts conformed to His, and your ways harmonious with His. That is what God has determined for you, and it will happen if you will believe.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for determining that those who are justified will be conformed to the image of Your Son. Grant me grace to abide in Him, and in no way be a hindrance to this glorious work.