May 11, 2025 CHRIST FORMED IN US
Galatians 4:19 “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you”
The letter to the Galatians was written to address a problem that had developed among the believers. The Galatians had gladly received the gospel that Paul had delivered to them, but later, they turned from grace and reverted back to living under the law. This blog is not about that but about a phrase we find in the verse above; and that phrase is ‘until Christ is formed in you.’ Those six words go a long way in summarizing the goal of the gospel and the heart of God for us. It is just that-it is God’s heart and His plan to have Christ formed in us. The idea of Christ being formed in us is not just for theological discussions but is for every child of God. Christ being formed in us is something that happens; its a real deal. It means that we become expressions of Christ in greater and more visible ways. We each have unique personalities, but amazingly, we are vessels through whom Christ desires to express Himself to us and to the world around us. The ‘laboring’ that Paul was doing was teaching, presenting and demonstrating the gospel message-the gospel of God. We also must be about digesting the gospel and adjusting our lives to the truth of the gospel; in no way are we to just take life as it comes with a ho-hum attitude. Our life on earth is crucial; there is a laboring that needs to take place on our part; we are in a battle against spiritual forces that would turn our hearts from the work that God desires to do in us. The kingdom of God has come to us and now we have Christ living in us and that without a doubt should impact our lives in a great way. Actually, our life has died and it is now Christ living His life in us. It’s not us and Christ-we have become one. Christ has certain attributes; as He is formed in us, we express those same attributes. Christ being formed in us is on-going, a process; but the big question for us is that process active in us now. The good news is that this laboring we must be about is not a labor that is burdensome or tiresome, but rather it is a laboring that energizes. Christ gives life, hope and peace. Finally, we have a Helper, the Holy Spirit, that enables us to have Christ formed in us.
Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Blessings, Buddy
Galatians 4:19 “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you”
The letter to the Galatians was written to address a problem that had developed among the believers. The Galatians had gladly received the gospel that Paul had delivered to them, but later, they turned from grace and reverted back to living under the law. This blog is not about that but about a phrase we find in the verse above; and that phrase is ‘until Christ is formed in you.’ Those six words go a long way in summarizing the goal of the gospel and the heart of God for us. It is just that-it is God’s heart and His plan to have Christ formed in us. The idea of Christ being formed in us is not just for theological discussions but is for every child of God. Christ being formed in us is something that happens; its a real deal. It means that we become expressions of Christ in greater and more visible ways. We each have unique personalities, but amazingly, we are vessels through whom Christ desires to express Himself to us and to the world around us. The ‘laboring’ that Paul was doing was teaching, presenting and demonstrating the gospel message-the gospel of God. We also must be about digesting the gospel and adjusting our lives to the truth of the gospel; in no way are we to just take life as it comes with a ho-hum attitude. Our life on earth is crucial; there is a laboring that needs to take place on our part; we are in a battle against spiritual forces that would turn our hearts from the work that God desires to do in us. The kingdom of God has come to us and now we have Christ living in us and that without a doubt should impact our lives in a great way. Actually, our life has died and it is now Christ living His life in us. It’s not us and Christ-we have become one. Christ has certain attributes; as He is formed in us, we express those same attributes. Christ being formed in us is on-going, a process; but the big question for us is that process active in us now. The good news is that this laboring we must be about is not a labor that is burdensome or tiresome, but rather it is a laboring that energizes. Christ gives life, hope and peace. Finally, we have a Helper, the Holy Spirit, that enables us to have Christ formed in us.
Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live in faith, the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Blessings, Buddy
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