Spiritual Formation and Spirituality

Spiritual formation is the process or journey through which our human spirits are developed. Just as our physical bodies change over time, our spirit is constantly being formed. Our desire as Christians is that our spirit will be shaped by the character and teachings of Jesus- that we will actually become like Him.

True life comes from God and is found only through Jesus. He has life in Himself, and only He can infuse our lives with spiritual power: God the Holy Spirit. Paul speaks of those in the church at Corinth who are “spiritual,” and conversely, those who are “carnal” (1 Corinthians 3:1-4). Those who are referred to as “carnal” are also called “mere men.” It is implied then, that those who are called “spiritual” are not “mere men.” What is the difference in Christians who are “spiritual” or “carnal?” A spiritual Christian is one whose life is integrated into and dominated by the Spirit of God. The “carnal” Christian’s life is not yet under the complete direction of God, nor is his spirit integrated with God’s Spirit.

Christianity, simply put, is experiencing life from God. Too many have wrongly assumed that spirituality is accomplished through the correct mode of baptism, the scriptural observance of the Lord’s Supper, or the true understanding of Christian doctrine. While these are important, they do not make one spiritual. Churches can be correct in the aforementioned things, yet be devoid of the Spirit of God and life in Jesus.

God works in our spirit by the Holy Spirit what we otherwise could not do on our own. To become a “spiritual” person in the biblical sense, we must become people whose spirits have become like the very Spirit of Jesus Christ.

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