Voices: Spiritual formation is part of the Great Commission

I’ve noticed something after several years of service with Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. When I tell people the name of the office I serve, my job title or the title of the program I help guide and direct, I sense confusion.

What’s the source of confusion? A phrase common to all three: “spiritual formation.”

Recently, a tour group stopped outside my office. I entered the hallway and introduced myself. The guide asked me to share about my work.

I asked our guests, “How many of you are familiar with the phrase ‘spiritual formation?’”

One person, subtly, signaled “no.” I offered an associated term: “discipleship.” Faces brightened with understanding.

What is spiritual formation?

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus instructs his closest followers to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”

Generally applied to the work of evangelism, Christians enthusiastically announce the gospel message and invite all people to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

But Jesus’ next words, generally applied to the work of discipleship, are not as enthusiastically received. While going and making disciples, we are instructed to “[teach] them to obey everything” Jesus commanded. That’s a tall task.

If we are to do this, we not only are to impart information from the Bible or teach sound doctrine, as helpful and vital as these may be. We not only are to teach the spiritual disciplines of prayer, Bible study and more. We invite obedience. We obey, too. We invite God to align our hearts with his heart. We want to do the right things. We also want to act with a purified heart.

How do we undertake such a task? With God’s help, God’s grace, patience and knowing growth in godliness takes time.

Evan B. Howard wrote: “Christian spiritual formation refers to the intentional and semi-intentional processes by which believers (individuals and communities) become more fully conformed and united to Christ, especially with regard to maturity of life and calling” (The Brazos Introduction to Christian Spirituality, p. 268).

The calling of every Christian person is to become more fully conformed and united to Christ.

Christian spiritual formation helps God’s people mature in faith and grow in likeness to Jesus Christ. It means being known by him, knowing him and making him known.

Putting off the old self, putting on the new self

What does this look like?

Colossians 3:1-17 paints a picture. Paul begins: “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

Our heart and mind are to be fixed on Christ. Our life is now “hidden with Christ in God.” We are assured of a good future with Christ, for when he appears, we will be with him “in glory” (Colossians 3:1-4). We are secure.

While we wait for Christ’s appearing, we “put off” the old self. Paul’s list in Colossians 3:5-9 is extensive, though not exhaustive. He names sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which he sums up as “idolatry.” He adds anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language and lying. Paul has given us all something—and maybe more than one thing—to “put off.”

Then, Paul says we are to “put on” the new self, the self we are now in Christ. As God’s chosen people, we clothe ourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. We bear with others. We forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. We love.

Christ’s peace is to rule in our hearts. God’s word is to dwell in us richly. We teach and admonish one another, not only in discourse, but also through song. Whatever we do—all of it—is done with joy, gladness and gratitude to God the Father (Colossians 3:10-17).

Can such a life truly be had? The answer, in and through Christ, is yes.

Spiritually formed and spiritually forming

Dallas Willard wrote:

“The spiritual side of the human being, Christian and non-Christian alike, develops into the reality that it becomes, for good or ill. Everyone receives spiritual formation, just as everyone gets an education. The only question is whether it is a good one or a bad one. We need to take a conscious, intentional hand in the development process. We need to understand what the formation of the human spirit is, and how it can best be done as Christ would have it done” (The Great Omission, p. 69).

Jesus remains available to us as our Teacher, Guide and Friend. Jesus taught many things long ago, and we should continue to pay attention to what is recorded in the Bible. But Jesus is not confined to the past. He teaches us today.

Jesus Christ is forming us—making us like him—within the context of daily life. He is at work in our families. He is at work in our churches. He is at work in the world. He is at work in us and through us.

Our challenge and our opportunity are to take a “conscious, intentional hand” in this process.

Let’s take the hand of Jesus Christ. It has been and is extended to us. If we place ourselves in his hands, the spiritual formation we receive assuredly will be a good one.

Ben Simpson serves as associate director of spiritual formation with Baylor University’s Truett Theological Seminary. Connect with him at www.benjaminasimpson.com. The views expressed are those of the author.