Christ in You
- Alan Fong
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Today's Verse:
My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, ~Galatians 4:19
What’s your goal for your Christian life? Sometimes, we can mistakenly think that activity or association is the goal. In our Scripture this morning, the Apostle Paul shared his heart of hearts with the believers at Galatia. These believers had gotten off to a good start, but false teachers influenced them to think that salvation by grace through faith in Christ was not enough. Paul patiently and lovingly explained to them the gift and goal in salvation. So, Paul peeled back his heart and exhorted the believers that the goal was, “Christ be formed in you.”
We see an agonizing preacher.
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again.…” Paul was unbundling his heart to people he loved. They had regressed in their relationship with the Lord. Paul desired more than anything that they resume their zeal in loving the Lord and growing in Him. So, Paul used the process of travail to share how he felt for them. He said, “Of whom I travail in birth again....” The birthing process is associated with agonizing pain. Paul was fighting to bring believers, whom he previously won to Christ, back to accepting their relationship with the Lord. Because of what they went through, he was burdened and stressed that they would move forward in their relationship with the Lord. Be thankful this morning for someone who might be travailing in birth for your spiritual success.
We see the amazing power.
“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” As Paul shared his heart, he reminded the believers that salvation is a work of grace. No good works on our part will bring about the New Birth. The New Birth is all about the power of God at work in us. The Holy Spirit is the Agent in bringing about the conversion of a sinner. This power forgives us of all of our sins, gives us the gift of eternal life, and makes us sons of God. Salvation is immediate. Salvation means we no longer owe a sin debt to God. Salvation means we are accepted in the beloved. What an amazing power!
We see the adopted privilege.
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” We are given the blessed privilege of being the sons of God. We are adopted into God’s family. As an adopted son, we have all the legal rights of a son. Thus, we become heirs of God. Nothing is held back from an heir. There is no exclusion of an heir. An heir can approach the throne of God without hindrance. As a son, God is our Father! As a son and heir, nothing can separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.
We see the absolute person.
“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you.” Paul was not going to let these believers fail. The goal he had them set their eyes on was that they would become “the perfect Christian.” The “perfect Christian” is an ongoing process. It is Christ being formed in us. It is growing in our faith through discipleship, decisions, and increasing in the increments of grace. It is, in effect, becoming more and more like our Lord Jesus Christ.
The making of a Christian is when Christ is being formed in us. Ephesians 4:13 explains it as becoming the “perfect man, unto the measure and stature of the fullness of Christ.”
Is Christ being formed in you? Do you sense your pastor’s burden for you to become more like our Lord Jesus Christ? Don’t be stagnant or go backwards; let Christ be magnified in your life!
Have a Christ-filled God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Matthew 13-14
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