Depend on the Holy Spirit.
Even taking the 12 Steps to God course could be self-help. It sounds like, "I'm going to take 12 Steps to God. I'm going to learn these steps, I'm going to practice them, and I'm going to make myself into a strong Christian!"
But here's the problem: the self-help approach doesn't work with God.
At times, I've been influenced by the idea that "it is the work of God," which led me to a passive approach. Ok, if God is responsible for my spiritual growth, I can sit back and wait for God to change me! But that failed. Candidly, this approach, for me, was an excuse to justify my selfishness and blame God for not doing anything about it.
At other times, I was swayed by the belief that spiritual disciplines are the key to spiritual growth. So I set up plans to read the Bible, pray to God, go to Bible study, spend Sundays at church, and give money to others. But then I realized that no matter how religious I became, that didn't necessarily mean I was becoming more loving, holy, or humble.
Have you ever started the day with a Bible study and then lost your temper twenty minutes later while driving to work? I was 'holy' when I read the Bible, but then I left my spirituality behind for the rest of my day. It was a compartmentalized approach.
Our confusion keeps us from experiencing God. But clarity can help us enjoy his love.
**In the simplest terms, spiritual formation is the work of the Holy Spirit in our spirits, so that we become like Christ for the glory of God.**
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul writes: "We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit."
Spiritual formation is not about acquiring new habits, becoming a good person, or being a regular church member. It can include this, but it is much better: we are being transformed into the likeness of Christ. God is restoring our humanity.
God's work is primary in spiritual formation. Paul says "we are being transformed." Paul does not say, we are transforming ourselves! This work of transformation "is from the Lord who is the Spirit."
It is the Holy Spirit who works within us to transform us, and nothing we do by our own power can change us. However, as we respond to the Spirit's work, everything we do can transform us into Christlikeness.
Our work is to respond to the Spirit's work in our lives. Christianity is not a hobby. It's about all of who we are responding to the fullness of God's presence in our lives.
If you try to do spiritual formation without the Holy Spirit, you'll eventually give up in despair. It's too hard. But if you wait for spiritual formation to happen without your involvement, you won't see any progress. We cannot grow in love for God if we are passive and disinterested. But because God loves us, and we love God, we can rely on the Holy Spirit in all of our lives.
**Our second step to God is to depend on the Holy Spirit.**
We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit.
How have I turned Christianity into a self-help program?
How have I become passive in my relationship with God?
How have I participated in religious activities with a legalistic mindset?
How have I compartmentalized my life into 'spiritual' and 'non-spiritual' spheres?
What would it look like for the Holy Spirit to transform my interior life throughout my day?
How have I experienced the Holy Spirit at work in my spirit?
Each morning this week, pray: 'Holy Spirit, transform me today. Help me to depend on you, not my own efforts.' Throughout the day, pause and ask the Spirit to guide your thoughts, words, and actions.
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