Devotions

Their lives were not giving evidence of the faith they professed and this broke the apostle’s heart. He had agonised over them at the inception of the gospel witness in Galatia; now he travails over them again.

His desire was that Christ would be formed in the Galatian believers. The word formed as used in the New Testament does not refer to external appearance but to inward reality. It signifies a change that is not transient but lasting. To have Christ formed within signifies the Saviour indwelling and animating the soul-a beautiful way of describing the intimate union between Him and His people.

In this union, the life of Christ is the vitalising and dominating principle in the soul, leading it always in a Godward and heavenward direction. Therefore, the one in whom Christ is formed will find his heart being led out after the Lord in love for Him and the things of the Spirit. The goal in all this is conformity to Christ. When Christ is formed within a person the person will be like Christ in will, thought, and desire. Consequently, he will be Christlike in words and actions too. Indeed, every part of his life will reflect his Saviour.

Must your pastor agonise over you as Paul did over the Galatians? It is a cause for deep grief if Christ is not seen to be formed within you. Apart from grieving the Lord’s people, you grieve the Spirit. Is it not time for you to deal seriously with the things of Christ? Do not rest until Christ is formed in you so that all may see Him in your life.