the mess of spiritual formation
“Christian spiritual formation rests on this indispensable foundation of death to self and cannot proceed except insofar as that foundation is being firmly laid and sustained.”
Dallas Willard
“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you.”
Galatians 4:19
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I was there for the birth of both of my children.
People tend to talk about the joy and wonder of having kids, but there wasn’t a lot of joy and wonder when my wife was in the delivery room. There was screaming, blood, tears, pain, and as violent a process as I have ever witnessed.
Afterwards: the joy. Before: the bloody mess.
I have thought about that a lot in our current discussions on spiritual formation. Spiritual formation is having a moment, for which I am glad. I wrote a book about the need for this in a cultural moment like ours called Beautiful Resistance. But I believe we are missing one important part of the conversation.
The mess of spiritual formation.
I am noticing a trend, particularly among younger believers, about how spiritual formation is being practiced.
Instead of a violent fight to kill the ego and the flesh, it is viewed as an aesthetically pleasing, restful alternative to modern life. I have real sympathy for this. Life is overwhelming, anxiety-producing, and exhausting. But a spiritual “wellness” alternative will fall short in the long run.
The yoke of Jesus is easy and light, but it’s paid for by bloodshed on a cross.
The saints knew that spiritual formation is a violent and messy process.
Paul said he was in the “pains of childbirth” to see formation in the life of the Galatians. Paul had to bleed to see the Galatians become what Christ intended.
Despite the miracles and power, the Galatians were resorting to the flesh.
Despite a clear and doctrinally accurate presentation of God's grace, the Galatians were shrinking back into works.
Despite Paul’s humble leadership, the Galatians were living in pride.
They were biting and devouring one another, seduced back into legalism, and using their freedom to feed the flesh.
Paul’s exhortation?
Life by the Spirit; crucify the flesh.
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 5:24
Spiritual formation is a messy process, and the Bible is brutally honest about this.
Abraham took the promise for an heir into his own hands and birthed Ishmael. He struggled to trust God's timing.
Moses wasn’t allowed into the promised land; his temper got the better of him.
David fell into adultery and murder; sexual entitlement overtook his obligations of worship.
Peter denied Jesus, weeping at his own faithlessness.
The Ephesians lost their first love despite the warnings not to.
Demas forsook Paul because he loved the world; his disordered desires came out under pressure.
This wasn’t before the call of God in their lives. This was in the middle of it.
Spiritual formation is messy.
Formation is a war.
Formation is a fight to the death.
Paul knew formation was an invitation to crucified union, not just a more appealing alternative to shallow evangelicalism.
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
Please don’t misunderstand me, spiritual practices are a key part of this, but the attitude and vision behind them must be aligned. Practices are nails for the crucified life, not mindfulness for Christians dealing with stress.
That’s why Dallas Willard was so insistent on this.
“Christian spiritual formation rests on this indispensable foundation of death to self and cannot proceed except insofar as that foundation is being firmly laid and sustained.”
Dallas Willard
Death to self, firmly laid, and sacrificially sustained.
There will be cries from the delivery rooms of our souls for this to happen in our hearts.
So, don’t be dismayed if the struggle for your faith is hard.
Don’t be surprised if your face resistance.
Don’t be discouraged if you are constantly having new parts of your heart exposed by God.
He disciplines those He loves.
He leads us on the narrow way.
The refining fire can be painful, but it is a fire of purifying love.
God promises to walk with us, form and transform us, but it will be messy.
Don’t be surprised, and don’t give up.
God delights in your messy, mangled, “two steps forward and one step back” formation.
The LORD makes firm the steps of the one who delights in him;
though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Psalms 37:23-24
Let’s help each other in the crucified life, held in the hand of grace.
Thanks for reading.
Cheers.
Jon.
