Partner with God on an orderly transformation plan

 In many historical periods, as well as today, Christians have generally found their way into the divine life slowly and with great difficulty, if at all. Yet formation in Christ is not a mysterious, irrational process, something that strikes like lightning whenever and wherever it will, if at all. It is not something that is magically conferred upon us in the midst of curious rituals and antique practices.

Spiritual experiences (such as Paul’s on the Damascus road) do not constitute spiritual formation, though sometimes they can be a meaningful part of it. One reason so many people fail to immerse themselves in the words of the New Testament (see quotations in previous devotion) is that the life they see there is so unlike what they know from their experience. This is true even though they may be quite faithful to their church and really do have Jesus Christ as their hope. The New Testament presentation of the life in Christ only discourages them or makes them feel hopeless. Why should this be so? Surely the life God holds out to us in Jesus was not meant to be an unsolvable puzzle! But this is my observation: For all our good intentions and strenuous methods, we do not approach and receive that divine life in the right way. We do not comprehend and convey the wisdom that Jesus and the Bible give us about the nature of human beings and our redemption from the destructive powers that occupy us.

Consider these other ideas: It isn’t true that where there is a will there is automatically a way (though, of course, will is crucial). We also need an understanding of exactly what needs to be done and how it can be accomplished.

Spiritual formation in Christ is an orderly process. Although God can triumph in disorder, that is not his choice. And instead of focusing on what God can do, we must humble ourselves to accept the ways he has chosen to work with us. Those are clearly laid out in the Bible.

What do you think of the following ideas about soul transformation? Immerse yourself in the words of the New Testament. What would it look like to experience Scripture passages and taste and see that God is good?

What ways of being in the Word (with certain people, using certain methods) help you hear God speaking to you? “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” is not true. When have you strained to become a better person, relying on your will alone?

What techniques (such as berating yourself) have you used to force yourself to try to act like Jesus? 

Spiritual formation in Christ is an orderly process. Confess to any beliefs you might have that spiritual growth will somehow just happen without your paying any attention to it.

Consider what God has done (what has happened) that has facilitated the most growth in you. How did you cooperate in this?

Pray as you are led. Ask God to show you today the small steps in your life that would quietly and certainly lead to inner transformation.

Johnson, Jan; Willard, Dallas (2014-01-31T22:58:59). Renovation of the Heart in Daily Practice: Experiments in Spiritual Transformation (Redefining Life) . The Navigators. Kindle Edition.