When we experience Jesus for the first time, it is radical, overwhelming, and pure love. The direction of our life changes, but it doesn’t mean that all our habits and practices totally change. Some actions and attitudes change right away, but our character being transformed into the image and likeness of Christ takes years and even decades of formation. This can be a discouraging and daunting task, but it can also be a lifestyle that brings joy, peace, and love in its fullness as we yield to the transforming work of the Spirit through the lifestyle of Jesus. Whether we’ve been walking with Jesus for one month, one year, or one decade, spiritual formation is a long road that requires discipline, perseverance, and humility. We are all being formed by the stories we are taught, the relationships we have, the habits we build, and the culture around us. Are you willing and ready to be formed by Jesus?

“If you want to experience the life of Jesus, you have to adopt the lifestyle of Jesus” -John Mark Comer

Spiritual formation is not a Christian thing but a human thing. We are all formed in various ways to be the people we are. The question is, are we intentional about being formed in the way of Jesus?

We are formed by:

1. The stories we believe
2. The habits we develop
3. The relationships we form
4. The culture we are in
5. The experiences we go through

The Challenge (Romans 12):

• Love others (v.9)
• Hate was is wrong (v.9)
• Honour one another (v.10)
• Serve the Lord enthusiastically (v.11)
• Rejoice in hope (v.12)
• Be patient in trouble (v.12)
• Pray always (v.12)
• Be eager to practice hospitality (v.13)
• Bless those who persecute you (v.14)
• Weep with those who weep (v.15)
• Live in harmony with each other (v.16)
• Be humble (v.16)
• Never pay back evil with more evil (v.17)
• Live honourably (v.17)
• Live in peace with everyone (v.18)
• Never take revenge (v.19)
• Love your enemies (v.20)
• Conquer evil with good (v.21)

Matthew 7:24 – Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 

1 Timothy 4:7-8 – Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

Luke 9:2 – Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.

Acts 18:26 – When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.

Romans 5:3-4 – We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.

John 8:31-32 – If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you.

All of this happens through the power of the Spirit working in our lives.