Christ Formed in You

My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you  (Galatians 4:19, KJV)

The Apostle Paul spoke to the Galatians as a spiritual father that is troubled by the spiritual condition of his children. He was concerned about the false doctrine of Judaizers preaching the Law and hindering the spiritual development of the Galatians. He says he was travailing in childbirth again like a pregnant woman until  “ Christ be formed in you”. Christ formed in them? What does this mean?

Christ is now mostly used as a proper name for Jesus. Prior to His coming, it was a title “the anointed one”, that could be used for the king or even the high priest. However, after He came to earth, Christ became more than just a title. It became a proper Name for Jesus. However, in the verse above, the word “Christ” is certainly not used in this context as the proper name for Christ. Paul was not saying the Galatians had lost their salvation and he was trying to have them accept Christ again in their hearts. He used the term “Christ” in a different way in this text.

The context suggests what he was saying. Christ being formed in them was referring to the character of Jesus Christ being formed in them. As Jesus is, so are we in this world but that is a reality of the spirit. The soul that powers our character here and now needs to be transformed. It needs Christ to be formed in him.  Let Christ be formed in you day after day.

MEDITATE

What is the difference between receiving Christ at salvation and having Christ be formed in you?

APPLY THE WORD

At salvation, all you had to do was believe and confess Jesus. However, for Christ to be formed in you, there is work to be done. You have to take in the Word and surrender to the Spirit’s leadership. Allow the Spirit do what He was sent from the Father to do in your life.

PRAY

Ask the Spirit to help you cooperate with Him to have Christ be formed in you. 

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