THE PURPOSE:
The purpose of spiritual formation is to become like Jesus. The goal is conformity to Jesus. “He…predestined [us] to be conformed to the image of His Son…” (Romans 8:29). How is He doing this? Practicing the spiritual disciplines is one of the ways we train to become partners with Jesus in his love for all people,. As we follow Him, He transforms us and we become more and more like Him. As Jesus’ apprentices and friends (John 15:12-14) we continually seek our Master's instruction on how to love like He does. As the Apostle Paul said, “The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience and genuine faith. (1 Timothy 1:5)
THE PROCESS . . .
. . . is the transforming of our hearts that comes from each act of obedience to Jesus – to His Word.
"The inmost dimension of the human being; the heart, which is the same as the spirit or will, continues to mature as we walk with Him. It is being formed (really, transformed) in such a way that its natural expression comes to be the deeds of Christ done in the power of Christ.” (- Dallas Willard).
Spiritual Formation is the process of being conformed into the image of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3 – 11 “His divine power has given us all things that pertain to life & godliness…”
Our part is to add certain spiritual disciplines that create a sensitivity in our soul to the Spirit's promptings.
Read this.
“Agape (sharing God’s pure love for people) is the center, the linchpin, of it all.” (- Dallas Willard)
THE PRACTICES: Daily Practices
These are not burdens, they're blessings. If one desires to be changed into the image of Jesus, he will need to get used to these practices and embrace them as the normal Christian life. Someone may say, "I don't need to practice these things, I can change on my own. This is like putting myself under a set of laws - and I'm free from the law."
In our fallen state we tend to naturally avoid these practices (i.e. our "flesh'). We "cannot do the things that we would..." said Paul (Romans 7. If we could change ourselves naturally without following these practices, we wouldn't need these practices. But one honest look at this list (below) will tell me how far that route has gotten me. Not so far.
Here are some of the spiritual disciplines/practices are as follows:
Why do we need to practice spiritual disciplines in the first place? Simple answer: because we are fallen creatures; glorious, and yet fallen. Therefore, godliness doesn’t just come naturally. A godly lifestyle doesn't just happen. It happens when we keep our hearts in alignment with His. Proverbs 4:3 "Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that's where life starts."
We learn these practices from Jesus, His word, and from those more mature than us - people like Dallas Willard, Brother Lawrence, and, of course, the earlier church fathers. Whether alone or in fellowship with other followers of Jesus, as we learn and do these practices the journey becomes one of joy, peace and adventure in His love as He trains us to be His future co-rulers. Sounds exciting? It is!