The Journey of Christian Spiritual Formation

 Spiritual formation in Christ is a deliberate and structured journey. While God can work through chaos, He has chosen to engage with us through intentional and clear pathways. Instead of passively wondering what God is up to in our lives, we are called to embrace the means He has provided for our growth. These pathways are revealed in Scripture, particularly through the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.

Life in our modern American culture is fast and busy. Since it is easy to have a full schedule it is tempting to “go with the flow.” This path of least resistance requires little effort but allows our culture to be the greatest influence in our spiritual formation. Many Christians struggle with spiritual maturity because we allow ourselves to drift instead of actively engaging the means to become more like Jesus.

Even so, God is gracious. He brings healing and transformation to our lives, even when we fail to fully engage in the process of our own spiritual development. This is a profound reminder of His goodness and love toward us, even in our shortcomings.

One challenge in discussing spiritual formation is the fear of being misunderstood as promoting “salvation by works.” This often leads to an emphasis on faith, which can, unfortunately, be reduced to intellectual agreement to doctrine and adherence to a certain moral standard. While truth is essential, faith is far more than believing the right things.

Biblical faith is defined by trust, commitment, and obedience—qualities that are reflected in how we live. Spiritual formation, then, is an active process that is to result in good works. These works are the fruit of genuine faith.

The journey of spiritual formation has a clear starting point: repentance. Jesus emphasized repentance throughout His ministry. In Matthew 4:17 (NLT), He declared, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

Repentance is not just feeling regret or making a confession; it is a true shift in our loyalties. Sin is rebellion against God and His Kingdom, and through repentance, we consciously change our allegiance. This act of turning away from the world and turning to God signifies a new loyalty—a declaration of citizenship in the Kingdom of Heaven.

True repentance is foundational to spiritual formation. It is not merely a formality but an act of faith: a decision to trust, commit, and obey God. From this starting point, our journey begins, and as we continue, God works within us to transform us into the likeness of King Jesus.

As we pursue spiritual formation, it is crucial that we remain both intentional and humble, allowing God to guide us. The process may be challenging, but it is the path to becoming who we were created to be in King Jesus—a journey of purpose, growth, and grace.