"The Concept of Spiritual Formation In the life of the Christ Follower" (Romans 12:1-2)

Although the words, "spiritual formation" are not found in any biblical text that I'm aware of, the concept is taught in the Bible! When I speak of spiritual formation, I'm referring to the "deliberate change of the inner person to the character of Jesus Christ." This change is done consciously and intentionally! In other words, if we don't do it, it won't be done! It's part of the will of God for the individual Christ follower, and the individual Christ follower makes a conscious choice about it. It's change in that it involves spiritual maturity in our relationship with God! It involves the inward person in that it deals with character, thinking, intentions, attitudes, habits, and behaviors. It has the character of Jesus as its goal and standard of measure! Our passage deals with the presentation of the body as sacrifice and the renewing of the mind. Paul says, "present your bodies." We find a similar phrase in Romans 6:13, 16, and 19. It means "to present or make available for someone's use." There, Paul is contrasting the two options the Christ follower has with respect to their behavior. In other words, they can present themselves to sin, or they can make themselves available to God! Because the Christ follower has a choice between yielding to sin or serving God, and in light of the "mercies of God" shown in salvation, Paul is urging us to make the right choice! Paul says that this presentation is our "spiritual service of worship." In light of God's amazing salvation, the reasonable thing for the Christ follower is the giving of him/herself to God for His use! In verse 2, Paul continues his teaching that believers behave a certain way in light of what God has done for them! This change relates to the mind as it leads to choices made in accordance to God's will. He says, "but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." From physical birth our life has been lived by a mental attitude called the "human viewpoint!" This viewpoint looks at and interprets life through the limitations of human wisdom, strength, and resources. As Christ followers, we're to begin changing from the human viewpoint to God's viewpoint which is revealed in His Word. By renewing our minds, we're opening ourselves to God for Him to make any adjustments or corrections to our thinking. This is to be a way of life for the Christ follower! Your move. Be encouraged!