“Christ Is Formed In You”

by Bobby Witherington

“My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19).

This scripture is taken from Paul’s inspired letter “to the churches of Galatia” (Galatians 1:2). At an earlier date, probably on his “first missionary journey,” as recorded in Acts 13-14, Paul and Barnabas had preached in the region of Galatia, and this resulted in the conversion of many precious souls. Historians, however, attest to the fickleness of the Galatians. Apparently they could be easily persuaded by the gospel message, but they could also be easily led astray. The latter statement was especially applicable to the saints at Galatia, for in Galatians 1:6 Paul said “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you into the grace of Christ to a different gospel.” Then in the verses which immediately follow he referred to those who “pervert the gospel of Christ” (verse 7), which means that a perverted gospel is a “different gospel.” By embracing a “different gospel,” i.e., a perverted gospel, they were turning away from Him (from God!) who had “called them in the grace of Christ.” A cursory reading of the book of Galatians reveals that the particular error affecting the saints at Galatia was that of Judaism, wrought by false teachers who were attempting to bind certain tenets of the law of Moses on these New Testament Christians. Hence, Paul devoted considerable space to a discussion of the law, repeatedly emphasizing that “a man is not justified by the works of the law” (Galatians 2:16), and proving conclusively that the law, having served its purpose, is no longer binding (Galatians 3:15-25). In fact, in Galatians 4:21-31, Paul gave the allegory of Hagar and Sarah, by which he likened Sarah, the wife of Abraham, and Hagar, Sarah’s handmaid, to “two covenants” (verse 24). Hagar, the handmaid, which represented the law of Moses, symbolized the bondage of the law. Conversely, Sarah, the lawful wife of Abraham, symbolized the New Covenant, which brings spiritual freedom (Galatians 5:1). Even as Hagar and her son Ishmael were “cast out” after the birth of Isaac (Genesis 21:1-10; Galatians 4:30), the law of Moses ceased to be binding after the death of Jesus (Colossians 2:14-17). Hence, instead of reverting to the bondage of Judaism, the saints at Galatia were exhorted to “stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free,” and they were forbidden to “be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (Galatians 5:1). Indeed, the book of Galatians repeatedly stresses the danger of trying to mix and mingle Judaism with the Gospel of Jesus Christ! And those who so acted were guilty of perverting the gospel of Christ, and removing themselves from the very God who had called them “in the grace of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). With Paul, an inspired apostle of the Lord, this was a grave issue! In fact, he then said, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.” Paul obviously did not subscribe to the modern theory that “it makes no difference what one believes so long as he is sincere!” Because it does make a difference with reference to what is preached and/or believed, Paul wrote the Galatian letter, in which he reasoned at length as to the necessity of rigidly believing and obeying the gospel he preached, the gospel which “came through the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:12). Mindful of the dire consequences of their following a perverted gospel, Paul was straightforward in his approach. He even called them “foolish Galatians” (Galatians 3:1); he said “I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain” (Galatians 4:11), and he asked “Have I … become your enemy because I tell you the truth” (Galatians 4:16). Yes, because of his love for their souls, and his awareness of the consequences connected with God’s people digressing into religious error, Paul was determined to tell them “the truth,” even if in so doing, they began to regard him as their “enemy”! Wouldn’t it be great if all professed Christians today possessed a similar love for the truth, a similar love for the souls of men and women, and, yes, a similar hatred of error?

Having given this background as to the reason for Paul’s great concern for the saints at Galatia, we now return to our opening text: “My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you” (Galatians 4:19). Let us examine this verse more closely.

“My little children …” Yes, he likened them to “little children,” and even called them “My little children.” Like Timothy, they were his children “in the faith” (I Timothy 1:2; II Timothy 1:2). They were his “children” in that he had “begotten” them “through the gospel” (I Corinthians 4:15; cf. Philemon 10).

“For whom I labor in birth …” Herein Paul compared the anxiety he endured at the time he introduced the gospel to the Galatians to the pain a mother experiences when giving birth to a child. Surely any sincere “soul winner,” who anxiously seeks and prays for the conversion of precious souls, can relate to the anguish and tender feelings Paul felt for the souls in Galatia whom he had “begotten … through the gospel.”

“Again …” The same anxiety, distress, and tender concern Paul experienced when he introduced the gospel to the saints at Galatia was being experienced “again.” Even as he perhaps felt doubt and uncertainty as to what would be their initial response to the gospel, he is now reliving those same feelings. And why now? Because they were turning to a “different gospel,” a perverted gospel, and were in danger of “turning away” from God who had “called” them by the true gospel. The metaphor Paul herein used needs no explanation to those who have labored long and hard to win souls, only to see them turn back again to the “weak and beggarly elements” (Galatians 4:9) of error. It hurts beyond description!

“Until Christ is formed in you.” Ah, this is what it is all about! We introduce Christ to others – not only that they may obey the fundamental requirements of the gospel whereby they may enter “into” and “put on” Christ (Galatians 3:27), but also that Christ will be “formed in” them! God’s desire is not simply that people obey “the first principles of the oracles of God” (Hebrews 5:12), but that His children grow and develop in such a manner that they are “conformed to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). God’s people are called upon to progressively become more and more like Christ, whose name they, as “Christians,” wear (Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16). “The word ‘formed’ is from morphoo which refers to the act of giving outward expression of one’s inner nature” (Weust in Word Studies). God’s plan for His children is that all of them attain to that level of Spiritual growth whereby the “mind” or the attitude which “was in Christ Jesus” also be “in” them (Philippians 2:5).

How Can Christ Be “Formed In Us”?

1. We must spend time in the word! The “blessed” or happy man is the one whose “delight is in the Law of the Lord,” and who meditates therein both “day and night” (Psalms 1:2). Through this process it is possible to gradually be “transformed … from glory to glory” (II Corinthians 3:18) becoming more and more like the God whose word we are studying and meditating upon.

2. Spend time in worship! God is “seeking” those who will worship Him both “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23-24). Those who worship God consistently, scripturally, and sincerely do not remain the same! They make changes – changes for the better. Gradually Christ is being “formed” in them, their “light” begins to shine, and their friends see their “good works” and are influenced to “glorify God” (Matthew 5:16).

3. Spend time in prayer. Jesus “spoke a parable” in which He taught that “men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). “… the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). People who regularly allow God to speak to them through the study of His word and who speak to God through the avenue of prayer can not remain the same!

4. Put off and put on! “Put off the old man with his deeds” (Colossians 3:9). “Put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27). “… put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24). “Put off … anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language …” (Colossians 3:8). “… put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering … love” etc. (Colossians 3:12-14).

Conclusion: More, much more, could be written about the process whereby Christ can be “formed in” us. The “bottom line” is this: It is incumbent for every sinner to “put on” Christ through scriptural baptism (Galatians 3:27), and it is equally incumbent upon all Christians to conduct themselves in such a manner whereby Christ will be “formed in” them! Don’t be like the “foolish Galatians” who were too prone to turn back to the “weak and beggarly elements” of the world!