Discipleship was not a key ingredient in my formative years. Growing up in the backwoods of Pennsylvania and attending church in a small community was a gift. Nevertheless there were issues that developed. The mentality that pervaded the influential components of my life brought about struggles that were unnecessary.
Misconstrued Perceptions
My perception and understanding of the definition of sanctification was skewed as a young girl. I can’t say that my circle of influence specifically pushed this mentality. On the other hand, my perspective was that when you were sanctified, God dumped perfection upon you and all your troubles were solved. Troubles such as personality issues, personal discipline, emotional highs and lows, bad days, thoughtless words and habitual actions are all things that I would place in this category of troubles. I felt I would be perfected through sanctification in one moment of time.
Consequently, with this perspective, my struggles as a young girl were many and spiritual development was slow. Every time I was faced with one of the above mentioned troubles I would feel condemnation because of my perceived failures. I had not grasped the reality that if you are undisciplined when you are sanctified, you will be undisciplined after you are sanctified. Discipleship in this area was lacking. I had to learn that discipline will only happen as we intentionally form disciplined habits.
I faced disappointment with my spiritual life over and over again, but thanks be to God for his unfailing love and faithfulness. His patient working with my specific situation has been so evident. God is a God of relationships. He desires a personal relationship with each one of us. God longs to meet you where you are in your situation. Moreover, He will begin to form you into the image of Christ. As you surrender your will, you too, will find God’s unfailing love and faithfulness working in your life.
Defining Sanctification
A working definition of sanctification is that moment of complete surrender on your part to all the will of God. In that moment of surrender and intentional sacrifice to God, He will remove the carnal nature that we were each born with and fill you with his Holy Spirit. After this crisis experience, growth is still necessary. It is an ongoing process.
There is still a mind to be transformed, disciplines to implement, habits to be formed and knowledge to be gained. It is at this juncture, that God had to work on my understanding of a victorious Christian life.
Though discipleship did not dominate my childhood, God was faithful in guiding me down the long road toward spiritual understanding. Even so, if discipleship is not a leading discipline in your life His Spirit will be faithful to broaden your spiritual knowledge as you seek his face.
Framework of Free Choice
Recognition that we are still a free moral agent with free choice is key. Within this framework, our understanding must contain the realization that until this life is over, we have the freedom to choose. Consequently, a daily choice to surrender our free will is paramount. We will face problems and choices that have to continually be made to keep our lives on the altar.
In other words, we have made that specific surrender to God at the point of sanctification. All that we know of at that moment and all we don’t know is God’s. Yet as life unfolds, there will be situations that will entail a fresh surrender to keep in step with the will of God.
In Christ We are Formed
Another piece of the framework needed for spiritual development is our understanding of who God is versus who we are. It is only through God’s enabling power that we are able to be renewed in our mind and transformed into his image. We are not saved by works, it is a gift of God. We have no merit of our own. Our strength is futile. Furthermore, it is only when God is working in us and we are abiding in him that progress can be made.
This principle is embodied in Scripture. There are many verses that help us to realize the import of this truth of being in Christ and Christ in us.
“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
“Even the Spirit of truth…he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” John 14:17
“Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye except ye abide in me.” John 15:4
“For it is God which worketh in you in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13
Connection
The connecting thread that runs through these verses, as well as others is the little word “in.” It is Christ in us that makes it possible for us to live this Christian life. His power works in us as we abide (stay; an ongoing choice to abide). We can never by our efforts live a holy life. Jesus has provided a way for victorious living through his atonement. The fundamental concept that we must grasp is that it is Christ living in us.
Connection is key to growth. We must be connected to the Vine if we are to see growth in our lives. Disconnection precludes growth. In fact, without God, we can do nothing. Development into his image begins when we abide in Christ. All our disciplines, our habits and our very lives must be centered in God if we are to make progress.
Renewed Mind
Within the walk of the sanctified life, there must be an intentional pursuit of God. There are lots of attitudes and affections that do not change automatically. A realization that we are responsible for the transformation of our mind within the bounds of our free choice and intentional pursuit is crucial. A discipleship training program would be a great way to further understand the principles needed for spiritual growth.
Though my spirit was drawn to Romans 12:1-2 as a young girl, I did not realize the personal responsibility that was found within these verses. Altering and changing habits start in the mind. Spiritual knowledge is formed in the mind as we work with the Word. Lies that have become entrenched in our minds, must be exposed before we will be able to replace them with the truths of God. We are a work in progress. A work that God will continue to perform in us.
Although we have presented ourselves as a sacrifice to God at a certain point in our spiritual journey, we must remember that growth is an ongoing process. Moreover, we do not become humanly perfect in that crisis experience of sanctification. We surrender and God fills us with His Spirit to begin a deeper journey of growth. The Spirit works in us and guides us into the truths we need to walk in.
Consequently, our mind is being transformed as we intentionally put into place new habits that will grow us into his image. As our understanding of God grows, the misrepresentations in our spiritual life will be changed. We must abide in Him and immerse ourselves in the principles of God. When we let God govern our lives, the result will be transformation.
Discipleship and Disciplined Living
An athlete who trains for a race uses an intentional plan of disciplined exercise and healthy living to gain the fitness needed. Even so, we as Christians must intentionally exercise ourselves to become fit in godly living. Becoming formed into God’s image does not happen on accident. We must intentionally be putting into place the spiritual disciplines and habits that are needed. A discipleship group can often times be what is needed to stretch our spiritual muscles. We must do the work for godly living.
There is something about the daily grind of disciplined living within the spiritual life that resets our mind. As our mind is transformed, our affections will be altered and Christlike behavior will result. It is not an instantaneous moment. It is the daily choices of surrender to the principles of godly living in every area of our lives that will bring about transformation in the mind. This will in turn adjust our attitudes and affect our behavior.
Daily Walk and Discipleship
It is when our heart is right and our mind is a jumbled mass of misinformed truths that God begins to work, He helps us retrain and transform our thinking. With God’s directives, our mind can become aligned with His Word. Setting into place personal disciplines and habits are stepping stones toward spiritual maturity. Practicing spiritual disciplines will be easier when personal discipline has been developed. Furthermore, discipleship in this matter will help to shore up areas that are crumbling because of lack of training or mistaken teaching. Nevertheless, it is as we keep our gaze on his, we are changed into his image more and more.
“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
In our daily walk with God, our choices form the habits and disciplines that will transform us to his image. We must do the hard work of disciplined living. On the other hand, we must remember that it is Christ in us that provides the needed grace for daily victorious living. We must do our part but it must be done with the knowledge that God does the enabling.
If you are in need of good discipleship material, check out Shepherds Global Classroom.
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