04.11

Christ Being Formed in Us "My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until
Christ is formed in you. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?
(Galatians 4:19 and 2 Corinthians 13:5)"

When we take the truth of the gospel to others, that they might be born again, we often
enter into spiritual birth pangs on their behalf. They are wrestling over issues and
questions. We are agonizing with them, that they might embrace the truth they need to
become a child of God by faith. "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ
Jesus" (Galatians 3:26).

When the Apostle Paul took the gospel into the region of Galatia, he labored in this
manner on behalf of those who would become believers in Jesus Christ. Later, he is writing
them, telling them that once again he was in spiritual labor for them. "My little
children, for whom I labor in birth again." This subsequent agonizing was not concerning
their initial salvation. They had already been born again through faith in the Lord Jesus.
Now, he was laboring "until Christ is formed in you."

It is the will of our Heavenly Father that we invite His Son into our lives. "As many as
received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12).
Furthermore, it is His will that we allow the life of His Son to be expressed in and
though our lives. As we face life day by day, we become engaged with issues,
opportunities, challenges, responses, ideas, relationships, values, priorities, etc. The
Lord Jesus Christ died for us in order to live with us through all of these aspects of
living. "For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord
Jesus Christ, who died for us that we should live together with Him" (1 Thessalonians
5:9). In every situation of life, the Lord Jesus is with us, dwelling within us, wanting
to express His life through us.

Although this great reality is described in many places throughout the word of God, many
of God's people seem not to know it. "Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in
you?" Either they have not heard it, or they have forgotten it. What a great privilege it
is to share these grand truths with others. The process will not be without difficulties.
"To this end I also labor, striving [agonizing] according to His working which works in me
mightily" (Colossians 1:29). Though we may experience spiritual birth pangs for others,
God will see us through, as He touches their lives.

"Lord Jesus, my indwelling Savior, please express Your life in and through me. May there
be no area of my life that is just me doing my best or me fulfilling my will. Also, Lord,
be my strength, enabling me to share these great realities with others, in Your mighty
name, Amen."