Discipleship. Transformation. Sanctification. Spiritual formation. All names used to describe the process of our growth into Christlikeness. Each highlights different aspects of what it means to follow Jesus. And, unfortunately, each carries a different set of baggage for many of us based on our experiences. So why do I mainly use the language of spiritual formation?

First, it captures the language of the Scriptures which speaks of the telos or goal of this process. Here are a few verses to consider.

• It is always good to be made much of for a good purpose, and not only when I am present with you, my little children, for whom I am in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you! - Galatians 4:18-19
• And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. - 2 Corinthians 3:18
• For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. - Romans 8:29
• Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. - Romans 12:2

Second, formational language stresses the nature and extent of this process. It reminds us that we are being formed by someone or something. Look again at Romans 12:2. Part of following Jesus is to come to understand the ways in which we have been deformed due to the conforming work of the world. It also makes clear that this formational process is not purely informational. One of the negative impacts of the Enlightenment on the Church has been the adoption of a ministry model that holds that simply getting people the right information will necessarily produce the intended results. While formation of the mind is part of this process (cf. Romans 12:2), the goal is the renewal of the whole person into the image of Christ.

Third, the language of ‘spiritual’ keeps before us two realities. One is that the formation we are pursuing goes down to the depth of who we are, to our internal world, to our spirit. We are not simply after behavior modification. That may have its place for a season and bring some benefit, it is not the primary goal. The second reality is that this formation is ultimately accomplished by the Spirit of God who indwells us, fills us, and empowers us. Spiritual formation is not accomplished by mere willpower but by us using grace-filled practices or habits to walk more closely and fully with the Spirit. It is a formation that is produced by the Spirit rather than the world and its influences.

Saints, at the end of the day, I am not overly concerned with what language you use. In the same way, I am not seeking to get people to stop using the designation, ‘Christian’. My hope is that all of us would experience the fullness of the life that Jesus has secured for us in His life, death, and resurrection. And that we would realize that life is not something that only waits for us in some distant future but that it is the life we live now. The power that raised Jesus from the dead is at work in us at this very moment, forming us to become more and more like Jesus. That is the change I hope we all believe in and pursue by the means our God has gifted to us.