Spiritual Formation - what it is

After completing the "Cowsbell" recovery series, It might be wise to look at the goal of addictions recovery. Spiritual formation. What is it? Trek with me for a few moments.

Christ’s last directive before His ascension is seen in Matthew 28 verses 18-20 “… Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…." Christ’s last words: make disciples.

The original meaning of the word disciple is “pupil, learner.” Discipleship – the process of being a pupil, learning. The term “spiritual formation” is more in vogue now because some have deemed “discipleship” too works-oriented. Whatever terminology is used, the objective is to be transformed “into the likeness of Jesus Christ” as observed in 2 Corinthians 3:18 “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

Notice the Source of transformation, “which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit does the work in spiritual formation, not us. Philippians 1:6 tells us, “ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Our responsibility is to place ourselves in a cooperative position, responding to the promptings of the Holy Spirit who stimulates our hunger.
(1) Hunger for God – the desire to know God is all consuming;
(2) Hunger to share the Christ-life with others; and
(3) Hunger for a pure heart – hating sin more than loving its pleasures.

Thus we may define spiritual formation as the pursuit of and continuing response to the promptings of the Holy Spirit shaping us into the likeness of Jesus Christ. The process means implementing a way of life expressed by obedience to God and marked by a humble, serving-others spirit, the kind of life that Jesus demonstrated during his earthly ministry. This is an intentional pursuit in an ongoing journey of becoming more like Christ.

Spiritual formation is not a program, or project, or course that is completed in a few weeks. Rather we as believers in Christ are being challenged to embark in a lifelong process of transformation. The ultimate recovery!!!