Five Aspects of Christ Being Formed in Us
John 1:12-13 "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
John 3:15 "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
Ephesians 4:15-16 "but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ."
Philippians 1:21 "For to me, to live is Christ."
Philippians 3:10 "that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection."
|
Aspect |
Description |
Examples |
Application |
Related Scripture |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Growth |
• Progress from Christ being born in us at conversion, to living in us, and finally being fully formed • A gradual process of life growth • Similar to a baby's growth from birth to maturity |
• Paul's experience with the Galatians: first bringing them to regeneration, then laboring again for Christ to be formed in them |
• Need continuous spiritual exercise • Daily renewal and transformation • Let Christ reign in daily life |
• Galatians 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me." • Galatians 4:19 "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you." • Colossians 2:19 "holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God." |
|
Maturity |
• Christ reaching full growth within believers • No longer children but mature believers |
• Growing from spiritual infants to mature believers • Able to eat solid food, not just milk |
• Pursue spiritual growth spiritual life • Able to serve and feed others |
|
|
Possession |
• The all-inclusive Spirit filling and possessing our whole being • Christ taking control of our inner parts |
• Christ's Spirit filling our mind, emotion, and will • Holy Spirit taking control |
• Submit to the Spirit's leading • Let Christ govern our whole being • Practice opening to the Lord |
• Ephesians 3:17 "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith." • Colossians 1:27 "Christ in you, the hope of glory." • Colossians 3:10-11 "and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew... but Christ is all and in all." • 2 Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory." |
|
Constitution |
• Being constituted with Christ organically • Christ's life and nature being constituted into us |
• Absorbing Christ like plants absorb nutrients • Metabolic transformation process |
• Eating and drinking Christ • Storing God's word in heart • Letting Christ's word dwell richly |
|
|
Expression |
• Outward manifestation of Christ's image • Being living witnesses of Christ |
• Living out Christ's nature and virtues • Expressing the fragrance of Christ |
• Testify Christ in daily life • Let others see Christ in us • Live out Christ's pattern |
Key Additional Scriptures:
- 1. John 15:4-5 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
- 2. Colossians 2:6-7 "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving."
Notes:
1. All aspects are interconnected and progressive
2. The goal is complete expression of Christ
3. Requires believer's cooperation
4. A lifelong spiritual journey
*Please refer to the 2024 International Thanksgiving Conference 'Living the Christian Life and Church Life under God's Government for God's Economy' Chapter 4 Becoming a Replica of Christ and Experiencing Christ as the Shepherd of Our Soul
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