week 6 research
CLED 715
Research Paper: The Role of the Christian Community Assignment instructions
OVERVIEW
You will write a major paper for this course one module at a time over the eight weeks of the course. The paper covers the topic “My Emerging Model of Spiritual Formation.” This paper will expose you to the required readings and viewings in the course as well as other outside materials that you locate. Writing the paper will develop your writing skills, your APA style usage skills, your ability to think biblically and practically about Christian leadership, and your critical thinking skills regarding the subject of spiritual formation. This particular assignment will prepare you to write your dissertation and equip you to submit acceptable writings for publication.
INSTRUCTIONS
Based upon your previous readings and previously viewed PowerPoint and video presentations and especially Being Conformed to Christ (chs. 5–6) and the video presentation for this module, begin to explore your emerging understanding of the role of the Christian community (the body of Christ) in the spiritual formation process. Plan on writing 3–5 pages (double-spaced in 12 point Times New Roman font) and draw out any reading or course materials from previous modules that may be relevant to what you are writing in this section of your paper. Edit this portion of your paper for typos, spelling, and grammar. Be sure to make corrections to previously submitted portions so that you do not continue to receive point deductions for the same mistakes. You must follow current APA format as you write your paper.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for originality via the SafeAssign plagiarism tool.
MY EMERGING MODEL OF SPIRITUAL FORMATION 21
My Emerging Model of Spiritual Formation
Rawlings School of Divinity
CLED 715: Ecologies of Christian Formation
Arnita Norman
September 25, 2020
My Emerging Model of Spiritual Formation
Part One: Introduction and Overview
Introduction
Whenever an average person speaks about spiritual formation, others assume that it is a contemporary or prevalent synonym for discipleship. Throughout the history of Church and Christianity, the obedience to the Lord’s command has seen believers and followers of Christ dedicate themselves to abide by the biblical policies (Boswell, 2016). In Matthew 28:19-20, the Lord’s command in the Great Commission ought to be obeyed, and this is what keeps Christians united while contributing to the model of spiritual formation. My spiritual formation model is influenced by the fact that people often get weary of using the same word always, and creativity contributes to the making of a biblical perspective of the word and spiritual training. When developing a biblical model of spiritual growth for Christians, there are salient issues and concepts that need to be addressed. Lowe and Lowe (2018) agree that there is a need for a model of spiritual formation that provides a better fit for the way people live in the interconnected age of digital relationships and interactions. Based on the biblical theology of ecology, Christians enlarge their orientation to spiritual formation and connections beyond traditional perceptions of how Christians grow through an ecological perspective.
Overview of Spiritual Formation
In this context of spiritual formation, different creative people have opted for its synonyms. For instance, mentoring is one concept of spiritual formation, which implies a one-on-one strategy of training a less mature believer by a more mature believer (Kujawa-Holbrook, 2001). However, mentoring would not be the best alternative word for “making disciples” as described in the Scripture due to its implications, background, and common use. Looking at the New Testament in the Bible, it can be discovered that making of the disciples is not obligated to individuals only, but also the entire Church. This means that disciples or followers of Christ are meant to be made by the full ministry of Christ’s body in the Church (Norton, 2008). The body of Christ is generally attributed to the journey of spiritual formation.
Every Christian has someone that he or she can attribute to their spiritual formation and growth. The concept of Trinitarian is important is addressing the importance of mentorship in spiritual formation. In his book, Pettit (2008, p. 52) argues that “spiritual formation consists of the Trinitarian work of God in the lives of genuine believers in Christ through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.” Christians should be actively involved in the same role of making disciples and also teach those who we have made disciples do the same (McMartin et al., 2013).
However, potential disciples should balance the wider membership of the Church and subscribe to the Lord’s command to become the disciples that the Lord intends (Eph 4:11-16). I believe that keeping up with the biblical terminology that describes our roles as Christians in the Church helps us understand our roles in spiritual formation. The term “mentorship” is still common and used by many people to refer to the spiritual formation and making of a disciple (Horan, 2017). However, spiritual formation cannot be a synonym of discipleship or mentoring in such a case. According to Smith (2017), “Some trace the roots of the Spiritual Formation Movement to 1974 when Father William Menninger, a Trappist monk, found an ancient book entitled The Cloud of Unknowing in the library at St. Joseph’s Abbey in Spencer, Massachusetts. This 14th-century book offered a means by which contemplative practices, long used by Catholic monks, could be taught to laypeople.” Menninger’s concept of spiritual formation through mentorship and training was later adopted by a variety of monks, spiritual teachers, and evangelists in making disciples (Shinohara, 2002). The disciplines of mentoring by Menninger were known to people that we are very familiar with church history. Leaders repackaged and offered them as a means of spiritual development and maturity (Salberg, 2018).
As a matter of fact, the ancient contemplative methods introduced by Menninger implied that spiritual formation was impossible without them. The common acceptable biblical disciplines, like the Bible study and prayer sessions, were considered old-fashioned and simplistic. Worse enough, several believers were convinced that these biblical disciplines were copied from the Western “worldview of the head,” which was not realistic. The belief “that whenever one wants to move deeply into Godly things, these principles were now enough” led to the need for alternative spiritual formation models (Setran & Kiesling, 2013). Christianity has ever suffered much criticism from non-believers or those that believe in other religions. Every religion is specifically designed to address specific issues with beliefs and customs. Mentoring is an emerging concept that applies to teach the Scripture, sharing ideas with the less mature believers, and making them disciples (Mulholland Jr, 2016).
My choice of mentorship as one of the salient issues and concepts in spiritual formation and growth is that we live in a digital era where almost every activity is conducted efficiently through mass media. Lowe & Lowe (2018, p. 73) argues that “communion believers enjoy with Christ through the Spirit.” Additionally, the text asserts that seminarians are tasked with spreading the gospel of the gospel through evangelicalism through any tools and means that reach masses. As a result, mentoring is a possible approach to evangelism and the making of disciples since it is made possible using digitalization (Chiroma, 2015). Proper spiritual ecology is deemed to provide the necessary spiritual nutrients for growth. Furthermore, Pettit (2008) presents the approach to spiritual formation by associating in harmony and peace with one another as a leader to help others learn spiritually. The making of disciples is not an easy task with the existence of many critics, but since it is a God-ordained process that shapes the character and actions of a believer to the likeness of Christ. What differentiates spiritual formation from discipleship is its practices and philosophy (McRay et al., 2018). Therefore, mentorship is my emerging spiritual formation model that implies reaching out to individuals and masses to make them Disciples of Christ and strong believers.
Part two: Biblical Support for Identified Issues
The key identified issue of spiritual formation is mentorship, which is a wonderful means for teaching the ways of God. In the bible, there is an ecological theme that utilized the ecological growth observed in the mature to illustrate spiritual growth. Matthew 28:19-20(NIV) says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Intentional nurturing of the followers of Christ or spiritual mentorship is an issue that is lacking in most churches. Looking at the ministry of Jesus, He focused on mentoring the disciples spiritually and in ministry. Worship is the brighter center line of the road of spiritual formation because everything flows from it (Pettit, 2008). There are many instances where Paul talks about the importance of sharing knowledge, experience, and even personal life with others for the glory of God. 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV): “So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”
Spiritual Mentorship in the Contemporary World
In today’s world that is greatly interconnected, spiritual mentorship is crucial because postmodernism has done away with the society that completely upheld biblical basis even in communities where Christ was not acknowledged. According to Lowe and Lowe (2018, p. 138), “connection terminology is the language of ecology that emphasizes the way in which different components of an ecosystem organically connect to each other to form a whole of interconnecting organisms that share nutrients and resources.” However, people cannot be expected to go from hearing the truth to living out that same truth without intervention. Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Christians help one another grow through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. As Lowa and Lowa (2018) argued, the spiritual formation should be viewed from an ecological perspective. In this case, Spiritual ecology can be understood well from the description of the body of Christ. It is important for Christians to think from an ecological perspective so as to think more broadly regarding how they engage and interact with other believers.
The Trinitarian concept is important in understanding why mentoring is important in spiritual formation. Although the doctrine of Trinity is not mentioned explicitly in the Bible, Christians have to understand the presumed presence of God and His mighty power through the Holy Spirit. In Mathew 28:19, the great commission of God is associated with the unity of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. According to Pettit (2008) the real issue in worship, be it individual or corporate, is not the style of music, liturgy, or anything else, but the issue is the human spirit that is overwhelmed by the work of the Holy Spirit enabling a vision of God that is true and transformational. Philippians 1:2 refers to Father as God, Titus 2:13 speaks of Jesus as God, while Acts 5:3-4 mentions the Holy Spirit as God. A mentorship program especially that involves non-believers can help them understand the doctrine of the Holy Trinity and help the church grow. This will also help in ensuring the growth of one’s relationship with God.
Ecological connection in Christian Mentorship Programs
Spiritual interaction between a mentor and mentee creates an ecological connection to Christ and throughout the community. Lowe and Lowe (2018, p. 146) states that “every Christians connection with the person and work of Christ, illustrated in the vertical syn-compounds and grounded in our syn Christo relationship, forms an indissoluble organic bond that forms the cornerstone of a spiritual ecology from which we grow together towards full maturity.” When spiritual leaders, who represent spiritual mentors teach those who are not mature spiritually the ways of Christ, the church grows in one direction. Spiritual formation is a process that cannot be completed by only those who are mature spiritually or even those who are on their journey to mature spiritual growth. Hebrews 13:7 (NIV): “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.” A mentorship program can be used as a model of spiritual formation that utilizes ecological interconnectedness and interactive realities.
In his letter to Ephesians, Paul demonstrates horizontal connectedness that believers show as the spiritual nutrients for their continued growth. for instance, Ephesians 4:16 (NIV): “From him, the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Every part of the body has special functions, and each part helps the other grow in such a way that the whole body is healthy and growing in full love. The same applies to where there is a mentor-mentee relationship because the parties help each other grow. Christians have a syn-connection to Christ, a connection that links them so securely that nothing can separate them from the love of God. Christians can vertically connect to Christ, but also Christians can have a spiritual connection to one another through the use of horizontal syn-compounds (Lowe & Lowe, 2018). Those who are connected to Christ through vertical syn-compounds and to each other through horizontal syn-compounds have spiritual ties that create a vast web of interconnections that through the spirit, form them into a sympsychoi, which is a unified soul (Lowe & Lowe, 2018). The overall concern for the church is represented by the syn-compounds that show how Christians can stand united in love and for the gospel of the Lord.
An adult mentor who passionately models and coaches the millennials through spiritual formation makes a personalized investment and creates a relational connection to bond them with God (Horan, 2017). This presents spiritual formation as a communal process that needs a mentor to connect the mentee with God and facilitate the journey until the mentee gains a self-understanding of God and grows like Christ. 2 Tim. 2:2 “and the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” The mentor is entrusted to speak the gospel to the mentee. The contemporary generation needs a mentor who comprehends their concerns and one who understand intergenerational relationships (Horan, 2017). Today, Christians in the journey of spiritual development are encouraged by a mentor-mentee relationship that aims to help them learn about faith and how to live in it through Christ.
Part 3: Necessary Ingredients for Spiritual Growth
Transforming people into the likeness of God through the power of the Holy Spirit and a crucial process guided by the bible. There are various elements that contribute to successful spiritual growth. Some of the ingredients that facilitate and promote the spiritual growth of Christians are the soul, love, character, and leadership as the necessary ingredients that facilitate and promote the spiritual growth of Christians (Pettit, 2008). The Holy Spirit guides us within the faith community to serve God and loves others with our hearts and soul. Each of the ingredients necessary for spiritual growth is related to earth in various ways.
Love
Love is an important ingredient in spiritual growth and acts as the motivation for spiritual formation. Pettit (2008) emphasized the importance of never losing focus on our God-given commandment to love the Lord and our neighbors with all our hearts and all our soul. Continually, it is important for Christians to measure their spiritual development and their faith by examining their love walk. Ephesians 4:16 (NIV), God created our whole body with supporting ligaments to grow and in love and work together as one. Just as our bodies work in cooperation, so do Christians have to do in support of their spiritual growth. Christians grow in God’s knowledge and love when they love each other (Boswell, 2016). Love is selfless, God-like, and unconditional.
When developing a mentorship program for spiritual formation, love should be the first concept to be considered. A group filled with love will should great progress and outcome. The program leader should focus not only on how individuals will respond to their spiritual growth journey but also love their work for their followers to love it and also love one another. That means to love one another even if some people do not deserve it. Christians love to please God and as a show of obedience to God’s commandment to love Him and his creation.
The Soul
The soul/heart is the center of everything war does. In spiritual formation, our hearts function as the drivers towards the acknowledgement of God and His commandments. According to Pettit (2008, p. 121), “the good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart.” The overflow of words through the mouth determines whether someone has a good or an evil heart. An individual’s heart is the center and the key to the deepest fulfillment. People experience utmost joy, peace, and unconditional love when their heart and soul is in peace (McRay et al., 2018). The heart unites Christians through love for one another. The Trinitarian concept unites the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit as one body, just like people get united through their happy and joyful souls
Character
The process of spiritual growth requires a great character for it to yield fruitful results. Pettit (2008) defines character as the attributes or traits that an individual or something is identified with. There is a vital connection between character development and spiritual formation. Pettit (2008, p. 144) argued that individuals develop a value system through their good or foundational character to help them make “moral or immoral”, “ethical or unethical” decisions in life. Spiritual change is supported and motivated by theological concepts that position Christian formation as a process that relates God in a community ultimately bringing moral and characterological transformation. According to Porter, Sandage, Wang, and Hill (2019), characterological change is the development of virtuous dispositions such as love, generosity, and kindness whereas moral transformation describes the outward manifestation of behavior like forgiveness, love for enemies, and others evidence of virtue in an individual’s life.
For purposes of this research, the spiritual formation has to do with one’s character and moral obligations in relation to what is held sacred like the love for others and God, the portrayal of God’s image, and so on. Spiritual formation goes hand in hand with character formation because a mentor has to establish God’s character in a person so as to foster faster spiritual growth. In a mentorship program that concentrates on spiritual growth, a mentor or the leader disciples and trains his/her followers to win souls. Sometimes it might not be about rules, behavior, or belief system as aspects of spiritual formation, but the portrayal of love, kindness, and willingness to help others become leaders in Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV), Paul congratulates and reassures Christians about how God cares for them to an extent of sharing the gospel with them. The willingness to share the gospel and the show for care is a character development that highly contributes to spiritual formation.
Leadership
Servant leadership is a crucial element of spiritual formation. A servant leader is never motivated by personalized powers, but God develops them according to his purpose (Pettit, 2008). Christian servant leaders should have that natural feeling to serve first, then lead. Their leadership qualities must reflect their spiritual belief for them to influence their follower’s personal as well as professional motives on the base of value. A good servant leader manifests him/herself through the care and prioritization he/she gives other people. Servant leaders who inspire, motivate, and encourages spiritual development and growth in others operate in the context of the community. Based on the class presentation about “Reaching the Goal – Process Terms in Spiritual Formation”, it was revealed that Christians work as a community to promote the growth of the church and their personal spiritual maturity. By interacting with mature spiritual leaders in both the church and the community, Christians grow their faith and start impacting others in a positive way towards a greater Christian community.
In Christian mentorship programs, servant leaders have the responsibility to teach others God’s teachings as depicted in 2 Tim. 2:2. Secant leaders act as the mentor and reliable witnesses of God and they are qualified to teach and guide those who are in their journey to spiritual maturity. Jesus is the model servant leader because he submitted and sacrificed his life under God’s will out of service for others. In the same manner, servant leaders should be a committee to serve others voluntarily and develop others to become servant leaders through spiritual transformation. They should serve and lead with God’s power and love in all aspects of their living. Hebrews 13:7 (NIV) encourages us to remember our leaders who speak the Gospel to us and consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.
Part 4: Facilitating Spiritual Formation
The process of being shaped by the Holy Spirit into the likeness of God is facilitated by various elements that Christians need to consider. The uniqueness of spiritual formation is found on the fact that the process combines both theory and experience. An individual’s talent, uniqueness, and personality make him or her understand his/her calling better. God design everyone uniquely such that each person has a different calling in life. Pettit (2008, p. 205) states that “ministering out of who you are is the only real key to Spirit-empowered effectiveness of joy.” Those who desire to be like Christ, need to renew their life based on biblical foundations. The need to have a calling and be willing to serve and lead.
Calling and spiritual formation
One of the key ingredients that facilitate spiritual formation is calling. Calling can be a passion, but as far as Christians are concerned, calling is not about pursuing personal happiness but the desire to glorify and serve God. What makes Christians happy is the fact that God calls them to glorify him and serve His kingdom. The Triune God is the caller, and Christians are called with a mandate to serve a Christ-like life. When a person has a longing for a bigger purpose in life, only God can fulfill this longing. According to Pettit (2008), God decisively calls us to himself such that we devote everything we have, everything we are, and everything we do by investing with a special devotion and directions lived out as a response to his summons. As Christians, we are called into a relationship with Jesus and a life of discipleship. In John 7:37–39, Jesus calls everyone who is thirsty to go to him and drink (NKJV). The Bible mostly guides Christians particularly to gain a sense of direction in their calling.
Many people do not embrace God’s calling to be renewed into the image of Christ. The Holy Spirit has a critical role in a Christian’s life especially in helping us to understand our relationship with Christ. There are times that Christians desperately desire to have a Christ-like life, but they do not allow the Holy Spirit to guide them. God’s intention for our Christian’s metamorphosis during the process of spiritual formation is to have every believer experience it in life. Our faith regenerates us and makes us new in Christ. 1 Peter 2:2 (NIV) says: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” We eat the scriptures for us to grow in Christ through the Holy Spirit. When we get insensitive to the presence of God our Lord, there is a need for spiritual awakening.
God calls us to learn, listen, and live in Christ. God always has a purpose when he calls someone to refashion and regenerate into a new birth. We are called to learn, listen, and live in Christ. Christians learn trough the scripture on how to grow into the full stature of Christ. We learn more about ourselves through God’s redemptive history, a process that makes us desire to honor God as we grow more in faith. (McRay et al., 2018). Through listening to the Holy Spirit, we grow the desire for the living God. God calls his children to himself and his holiness throughout scriptures (Pettit, 2008). The Holy Spirit talks life in our hearts and we find the need for renewal of the inner life. We live in Christ through learning the scriptures and listening to what the Holy Spirit is telling us.
Calling can be a purely individual matter, but it can also involve the community. Pettit (2008) outlines two types of calling which include primary and functional calling. While the primary calling is to a living and dynamic relationship with God, functional calling is how we live out our primary calling. A mentor in spiritual formation is working on his or her functional calling of being a spiritual mentor. God primarily calls spiritual mentors to encourage and transform more souls in the community to live like Christ. Involving the community in ones calling is a way to serve God and live in accordance with God’s primary call.
Leadership and spiritual formation
Servant leadership is an important ingredient for spiritual growth. According to Pettit (2008), Christian servant leaders are supposed to have a natural feeling to serve first, then lead. Church leaders are always expected to practice this capacity in all their ordinary life such as when preaching, teaching, or even conversing. The class presentation about “Leadership and Spiritual Formation” reveals that Christian leaders are expected to understand humans in all sorts of conditions as they are teachers of tradition. In spiritual formation, servant leaders are to be sensitive and have hope for those who they lead about ultimate life purposes and spirituality (Norton, 2008). God uses all leaders’ teachings and preaching’s to renew others into the image of Christ. The transformation happens through grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. The Trinitarian concept that lacks in most spiritual formation processes is important in this stage because the Holy Spirit leads God’s people towards spiritual transformation.
For a servant leader to be effective in the journey towards the spiritual formation, the need to naturally show patience, love, self-control, peace, and faithfulness (Boswell, 2016). These are all sorts of practices that can make a leader open to the grace and presence of God, and for God to transform us into his likeness. II Corinthians 3:17-18 (NKJV) reads: “now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” The church is the place God transforms his people and makes them a teacher of other followers. Jesus is our leader in the process of spiritual formation. He acts as our mentor as we follow his teachings to renew our faith. Human beings are to obey the divine image of God and his teachings as Jesus did through his life death and resurrection. Christ died for us to experience a restored relationship of patience, love, should, and mind such that through him we get transformed into the likeness of God.
Discipleship and spiritual formation
The foundation of an effective and fruitful ministry is the life of discipleship and spiritual growth. Discipleship, which is the process of maturing an individual’s faith based on certain beliefs and values in the faith community, need a mentor whom is spiritually mature to disciple those who are yet mature spiritually. The ordinary maturing of a person’s relationship with Christ depends on the formatives of the Holy Spirit (Norton, 2008). Spiritual mentors, friends, and pastors who God has called to serve and lead His people to provide a room for non-Christians and Christians to reflect and get spiritual direction. Helping people stay connected with what they have passion for, and assisting them in glorifying God is a great way to promote spiritual formation.
Part 5: The Targeted Outcome of Spiritual Formation
The process of spiritual formation involves the Holy Spirit for one to become more like Christ. Since Christ is the reflection of God, the Holy Spirit restores us to the perfect image of God. The targeted outcome of the spiritual formation process is therefore having Christians who show greater obedience and strong unshakable belief and hope in the truth of the gospel. The contemporary Christian tradition emphasizes the growth of various aspects of human beings such as spiritual, emotional, or intellectual components all of which are expected to be developed in a process for the maturity of the whole person. Samra (2008) investigates the concept of maturity in the undisputed Pauline epistles concerning how it relates to the growth process and the role of the local church in facilitating the process. Spiritual formation is to Christ is a continuous process that requires the knowledge of the Holy Spirit and required one to heed to Gods calling to serve him as Christ.
Conformation to Christ
Human beings were created in God’s image. They resemble God in His Spiritual make-up at creation. When sin entered man and corrupted his mind, God still kept the door open for those who love Him and promised to restore His image in them. God knew that if he gave His children a chance, they would follow him wholeheartedly. Therefore, they were predestined to conform to Christ through the process of spiritual formation, where they fully embrace the gospel of Christ. Romans 8:29-30 (KJV) “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.” God never fails at anything. If he predestines someone to be conformed to the image of Christ, that will be so. Spiritual maturity is a process that particularly entails being conformed to Christ’s image, as reflected in the undisputed Pauline epistles (Samra, 2008). Sometimes Christians will stumble, but God promises to save his children so that they see the Kingdom of heaven. God uses his servants to prepare Christians to be conformed in the image of His Son.
Samra (2008), in chapter 2 argues that Paul understood his apostolic commission as developing mature believers for the coming of Christ. Paul focused on developing mature believers who understood Christ and his teachings. The central theme of Paul’s maturity idea was to conform Christians to Christ’s image. Paul’s maturation motif was also driven by the conviction that the attitudes of believers should be shown by their actions which should replicate those exhibited by Christ. Through the church, Christians can better align their actions to those of Jesus. Our local churches are the best places where Christians can form spiritual communities that will help them experience spiritual formation. However, the local church most of the time do not understand the constructs of spiritual formation and fails to implement effective strategies to encourage and motivate Christians to participate in the process of spiritual transformation. Church leaders are expected to be at the forefront of ensuring that Christians have access to information they need to know about spiritual maturity. Mentorship programs in the church can motivate Christians to develop an interest in growing much like Christ.
The call of God to Christ-likeness
God calls us to live a life like Christ, to leave earthily things and follow his teachings. Living a Christ-like life means being caring, loving, kind, sincere, forgiving, and accepting to help others walk through faith. Philippians 2:5 (NIV): “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.” The church is one place that people can grow and nurture their call to serve God. According to Samra (2008), Paul wanted the local church to primarily help believers mature in their faith by allowing them to participate in a local assembly, ultimately getting conformed to Christ. Through the church, we will show our love for one another, mentor those who are not mature spiritually, and learn from one another. The church is a great community that helps Christians to have the same mind, which is particularly the mind of Christ.
Responding to God’s call needs us to have Christ-like characteristics. The church task a very significant role in facilitating the process of spiritual growth and maturity (Samra, 2008). The church should be united to declare the excellence of God’s grace by helping Christians get immune to the intoxicating activities of society. It is easy for human beings to yield to the pressured of society far more than they can recognize. This would be against Christ’s teaching that perceives Christians as the salt and light of the world. When Christians lose their spiritual powers that is because they are not yielding to the Holy Spirit continually. Keeping a godly mind in today’s society is a great way to fulfill our call as Christians to be like Christ.
Importance of the Holy Spirit
To be conformed to Christ, the Holy Spirit has to work in the heart of the believer. As Samra (2008) articulates, there are seven marks of maturity including mature/complete/perfect, spiritual, holy, free, wise, strong, and Christ-like. The role of the Holy Spirit in transforming us into the image and likeness of God is to sanctify us through the knowledge of the truth. The Holy Spirit gives us knowledge about God, teaches us how to pray in our walk with the Lord. The Holy Spirit leads us in the journey of conformation to the image of Christ in holiness. Human beings are changed from one victory to the next, from one glory to the other until they are fully transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV). From the “Whole Person Transformation” presentation, it can be argued that transforming completely into the likeness of God must be a process that cannot happen in one day.
Sanctification happens when Christians are separated from profane things and dedicated to God. 2 Thessalonians 2:13 (NIV): “But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and belief in the truth.” When we leave sin, purify our souls, and cleanse our spirit, we regenerate and consecrate all things to God. Samra (2008) lists various components that contribute to the maturation process which include identifying with Christ, going through suffering, experiencing God’s presence, receiving and living out wisdom from God, and imitating a godly example. These are all the different ways in which the Holy Spirit uses us to conform to the image of Christ. The idea of setting apart from the profane things of the world and focusing only on God and his teachings is what makes us Christ-like. Through the gifts of the Holy Spirit, Christian’s spiritual transformation process gets better. The Holy Spirit dwells in he who conforms to Jesus and resides in his heart forever.
Feedback to Learner9/29/20 9:01 PM
The element of separation is only one aspect of the biblical concept of holiness or sanctification, and a negative one at that. The positive aspect of holiness has to do with attributes, traits, attitudes, and behaviors that mimic Christ that develop gradually over time through interactions with God’s word and God’s people empowered by God’s Spirit. A separation view of sanctification/holiness in the NT must explain why Jesus did not separate his holiness from publicans and sinners but entered their social spaces and infected them with his holiness.
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References
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