Spiritual Formation: A Definition

Link: Companions in Christ | Tools & Tips.

Although many reading this article are familiar, even comfortable, with spiritual formation, you may find the following definition a helpful tool as you attempt to define spiritual formation for others:

Spiritual formation is the process of being conformed to the image of Christ by the gracious working of God’s spirit, for the transformation of the world.

1. a process:

gradual, life-long movement, not single, momentous conversion
goes against grain of "quick-fix, instant results, Five Easy Steps" culture
draws us by God’s magnetic attraction, awakening our desire for God

2. of being conformed to the image of Christ:

Christ is the image of God made visible to us (Col.1:15)
image of Christ is pattern of human wholeness — we share God’s image (Gen.1:26)
God’s likeness feels strange since we are misshapen by images of worldly culture
the Christ image heals, renews, restores us
moves us from being centered in self to being centered in God

3. by the gracious working of God’s spirit:

we want to make things happen in our self-reliant culture
but cannot conform ourselves to Christ by own will power
we can open ourselves to gracious working of God’s spirit
the Spirit enables us to choose way of Christ over self-interest
grace helps us give reins of control to God and to cooperate with Spirit
we resist Spirit’s work because change in ideas/habits/ behaviors is scary
spiritual disciplines (practices) are ways of opening ourselves to grace

4. for the transformation of the world:

being like Christ means living in self-giving love
spiritual life not about "me" but about the world God loves
as we are conformed to Christ we embody more of God’s love for others
fruits of spiritual formation are compassion, patience, truthfulness, reconciliation
transformed persons are leaven for transforming the world

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Published by Allen Bingham