Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice

1. Spiritual Formation: A Journey Toward Christlikeness

Spiritual formation for the Christian refers to the Spirit-driven process of forming the inner world of the human self so that it becomes like the inner being of Christ himself.

Holistic transformation. Spiritual formation is not about external behavior modification but a profound inner transformation that affects every aspect of a person's being. This process involves aligning one's thoughts, feelings, will, body, social relationships, and soul with the character of Christ.

Divine partnership. While spiritual formation is initiated and empowered by God's grace, it requires active participation from the individual. This partnership involves intentional practices, disciplines, and a continual surrender to God's transformative work.

• Key areas of transformation:
  • Mind: Renewing thought patterns
  • Heart: Cultivating godly emotions and desires
  • Will: Aligning choices with God's purposes
  • Body: Using physical abilities for God's glory
  • Relationships: Loving others as Christ loves
  • Soul: Integrating all aspects into a Christ-centered whole

2. The VIM Pattern: Vision, Intention, and Means

If we are to be spiritually formed in Christ, we must have and keep clearly before us a vision, an intention, and some basic means of Christ-centered spiritual transformation.

Vision. The first step in spiritual formation is developing a clear vision of life in God's kingdom. This involves understanding and embracing the reality of God's presence, power, and purposes in everyday life.

Intention. Vision must be followed by a firm decision to become the kind of person who lives fully in God's kingdom. This intention goes beyond mere wishful thinking to a settled determination to follow Christ in all areas of life.

Means. Practical steps and spiritual disciplines are necessary to realize the vision and intention. These may include:

• Scripture study and meditation
• Prayer and solitude
• Community and accountability
• Service and acts of love
• Fasting and simplicity

3. Transforming the Mind: Ideas, Images, and Information

The process of spiritual formation in Christ is one of progressively replacing those destructive images and ideas with the images and ideas that filled the mind of Jesus himself.

Power of thought. Our minds play a crucial role in spiritual formation. The ideas and images we entertain shape our beliefs, attitudes, and ultimately, our actions.

Renewing the mind. Transformation involves:

• Identifying and challenging destructive thought patterns
• Immersing ourselves in Scripture and Christ-centered teaching
• Cultivating a God-centered worldview
• Practicing critical thinking in light of biblical truth

Information and wisdom. Spiritual growth requires not just accumulating knowledge but developing the ability to apply that knowledge wisely in everyday life situations.

4. Emotions and the Will: Overcoming Destructive Patterns

Negative and destructive feelings are on their way to death in those who have put Christ on the throne of their life and have taken their place on his cross.

Emotional transformation. Spiritual formation involves a profound reshaping of our emotional life. This includes:

• Recognizing and addressing destructive emotional patterns
• Cultivating godly emotions like love, joy, and peace
• Learning to respond to circumstances with Christ-like attitudes

Will and character. The will, or heart, is the executive center of a person. Spiritual formation aims to align our will with God's will, resulting in:

• Increased ability to choose what is good and right
• Development of Christ-like character traits
• Freedom from enslaving habits and addictions

Overcoming duplicity. A key aspect of emotional and volitional transformation is moving from a fragmented, conflicted inner life to one of integrity and wholeness in Christ.

5. The Body's Role in Spiritual Growth

The body must be properly cherished and cared for, not as our master, but as a servant of God.

Physical dimension. Spiritual formation is not purely "spiritual" but involves the whole person, including the body. The body plays a crucial role in:

• Forming habits and patterns of behavior
• Expressing and reinforcing inner attitudes
• Engaging in spiritual disciplines

Retraining the body. Transformation involves:

• Recognizing and addressing ingrained physical responses
• Cultivating new, godly habits and reflexes
• Using the body as an instrument for righteousness

Balanced approach. Spiritual formation avoids both neglect and idolization of the body, instead viewing it as:

• A temple of the Holy Spirit
• A tool for serving God and others
• An integral part of our whole being that needs redemption

6. Social Dimension: Love and Relationships in Formation

Spiritual formation, good or bad, is always profoundly social. You cannot keep it to yourself.

Relational nature. Spiritual formation is not an isolated, individual pursuit but occurs within the context of relationships. Key aspects include:

• Learning to love others as Christ loves
• Developing healthy, Christ-centered relationships
• Addressing patterns of withdrawal or aggression

Community importance. The church and other Christian communities play a vital role in spiritual formation by providing:

• Accountability and support
• Opportunities for service and love
• Diverse perspectives and experiences

Transformative love. As we grow in Christ-likeness, our relationships should increasingly reflect:

• Selflessness and sacrifice
• Forgiveness and reconciliation
• Genuine care and compassion

7. The Soul: Integrating All Dimensions of the Self

The soul is that aspect that integrates the dimensions of the self and how they interact with each other.

Holistic integration. The soul serves as the organizing center of a person, bringing together:

• Thoughts and beliefs
• Emotions and desires
• Will and choices
• Physical actions and habits
• Social relationships

Soul care. Spiritual formation involves nurturing the soul by:

• Cultivating a deep, personal relationship with God
• Addressing areas of fragmentation or conflict within oneself
• Seeking alignment of all aspects of life with God's purposes

Indicators of soul health:

• Inner peace and rest in God
• Coherence between beliefs and actions
• Ability to navigate life's challenges with faith and resilience

8. Disciplines for Spiritual Growth

Spiritual disciplines make room for the Word and the Spirit to work in us.

Purpose of disciplines. Spiritual disciplines are not ends in themselves but means of creating space for God's transformative work. They help in:

• Developing godly habits and patterns
• Increasing awareness of God's presence
• Breaking destructive cycles and tendencies

Key disciplines. While there are many spiritual disciplines, some foundational ones include:

• Solitude and silence
• Prayer and meditation on Scripture
• Fasting and simplicity
• Service and acts of compassion
• Worship and celebration

Balanced approach. Effective use of spiritual disciplines involves:

• Tailoring practices to individual needs and circumstances
• Avoiding legalism or performance-based spirituality
• Maintaining focus on relationship with God, not just activities

9. The Law and Grace in Spiritual Formation

The presence of the Spirit and of grace is not meant to set the law aside but to enable conformity to it from an inwardly transformed personality.

Proper understanding. Spiritual formation involves a balanced view of God's law and grace:

• Law as a reflection of God's character and will
• Grace as the empowering presence of God for transformation

Beyond legalism. True spiritual formation moves beyond mere rule-following to:

• Delight in God's ways
• Inner motivation to live righteously
• Freedom to love and serve others

Transformation process:

1. Recognition of our inability to keep the law perfectly
2. Embracing God's grace and forgiveness in Christ
3. Allowing the Holy Spirit to write God's law on our hearts
4. Growing in joyful obedience from transformed character

10. Becoming Children of Light: The Goal of Transformation

Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), verifying what is pleasing to the Lord.

Distinctive character. Children of light, those transformed by Christ, are marked by:

• Minds focused on God's goodness and truth
• Emotions characterized by love, joy, and peace
• Wills aligned with God's purposes
• Bodies poised for righteous action
• Transparent and loving relationships

Ongoing growth. Becoming children of light involves a progressive journey of:

• Increasing Christ-likeness in all areas of life
• Greater effectiveness in representing God's kingdom
• Deepening intimacy with God and others

Witness to the world. As we become children of light, we:

• Demonstrate the reality of Christ's transforming power
• Offer a compelling alternative to worldly values and lifestyles
• Bring hope and healing to a broken world

11. The Church's Role in Spiritual Formation

Churches that cause children of light to emerge and mature have turned their efforts under God toward making spiritual formation in Christlikeness their primary goal.

Refocusing priorities. Churches must shift from:

• Emphasis on programs and activities
• Focus on numerical growth or external measures
• Preoccupation with secondary issues

To:

• Intentional fostering of spiritual formation
• Cultivation of Christ-like character in members
• Creating environments for transformative encounters with God

Practical steps. Churches can promote spiritual formation by:

• Teaching and modeling spiritual disciplines
• Providing opportunities for service and ministry
• Fostering authentic community and accountability
• Offering resources and guidance for personal growth

Overcoming obstacles. Common challenges to address include:

• Consumeristic attitudes toward church
• Superficial spirituality focused on external conformity
• Neglect of intentional discipleship processes

Last updated: August 14, 2024