Transforming the Will: A Journey in Christ

 

Summary

In our journey of spiritual formation, the will plays a crucial role as the executive center of the self. The will can be understood in three dimensions: the vital or impulsive will, the reflective will, and the embodied will. The vital will is driven by immediate desires and attractions, much like a baby reaching for what it finds appealing. However, if the will remains at this stage, it risks being identified with the person, leading to a life driven by mere impulses. In contrast, the reflective will is oriented towards what is good for the person as a whole, not just what is desired. This is where the conflict between good and bad arises, and it is through the reflective will, guided by the teachings of Christ, that we can live a life that glorifies God.

The embodied will is where these choices become automatic, ingrained in our very being. This is evident in how we react to situations without conscious thought, often reflecting the habits and choices that have formed our character. Spiritual formation in Christ aims to transform our embodied will so that our automatic responses align with the teachings and character of Christ. This transformation involves the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—and is not achieved merely through preaching or teaching but through active participation in spiritual disciplines.

Spiritual formation is a process that involves the Holy Spirit, but it also requires our active participation and the influence of those around us. It is about forming the character of Christ within us, leading to a life where our natural responses reflect Christ's love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about growing in wisdom and grace, moving towards a life that embodies the teachings of Jesus.

Key Takeaways:

- The Dimensions of Will: Understanding the will in its vital, reflective, and embodied forms is crucial for spiritual growth. The vital will is driven by immediate desires, while the reflective will seeks what is good for the whole person. The embodied will reflects our ingrained habits and character, which spiritual formation seeks to align with Christ's teachings. [25:12]

- Transformation Through Christ: Spiritual formation in Christ transforms our embodied will, making our automatic responses reflect Christ's character. This transformation involves the whole person and requires active participation in spiritual disciplines, not just passive reception of teachings. [31:42]

- Role of the Holy Spirit and Community: While the Holy Spirit is essential in spiritual formation, it also involves our active participation and the influence of our community. This process is about forming Christ's character within us, leading to a life that naturally reflects His love and virtues. [37:50]

- Vision, Intention, and Means (VIM): Spiritual formation requires a vision of what it means to live like Christ, the intention to pursue this life, and the means to achieve it. This involves cultivating habits and responses that align with Christ's teachings, moving beyond mere avoidance of sin to embracing righteousness as true life. [43:13]

- Overcoming Cultural and Personal Barriers: Spiritual formation challenges cultural norms and personal habits that conflict with Christ's teachings. It requires a commitment to growth and transformation, recognizing that sin is not a deprivation but a hindrance to true life in Christ. [45:01]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [25:12] - Understanding the Will
- [26:03] - Vital Will in Action
- [27:21] - Reflective Will and Its Role
- [29:13] - Embodied Will Explained
- [31:42] - Spiritual Formation in Christ
- [34:09] - The Role of the Body in Transformation
- [37:50] - The Holy Spirit and Community
- [39:02] - Reflective Will for Christlikeness
- [41:12] - Overcoming Perfectionism and Legalism
- [42:34] - Grace and Effort in Spiritual Growth
- [43:13] - Vision, Intention, and Means (VIM)
- [45:01] - Embracing Righteousness as Life
- [46:12] - The Power of Intention
- [46:36] - Breaking the Cycle of Evil

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. Colossians 3:17 - "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
2. Galatians 4:19 - "My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you."
3. Romans 7:19 - "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing."

#### Observation Questions
1. How does the sermon describe the three dimensions of the will: vital, reflective, and embodied? [25:32]
2. What role does the reflective will play in aligning our actions with the teachings of Christ? [27:54]
3. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of embodied will using Peter's denial? [29:54]
4. What is the significance of spiritual disciplines in transforming our embodied will according to the sermon? [34:39]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Colossians 3:17 relate to the idea of the reflective will seeking what is good for the whole person? [28:09]
2. In what ways does Galatians 4:19 illustrate the process of Christ being formed in us, as discussed in the sermon? [33:15]
3. How does the sermon suggest overcoming the conflict between the vital will and the reflective will? [27:38]
4. What does the sermon imply about the role of community and the Holy Spirit in spiritual formation? [37:50]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a recent situation where your vital will (immediate desires) conflicted with your reflective will (what is good for you). How did you respond, and what might you do differently next time? [27:21]
2. Identify a habit or automatic response in your life that does not align with Christ's teachings. What steps can you take to transform this into an embodied will that reflects Christ? [31:42]
3. How can you actively involve your community in your spiritual formation journey? What role do you see the Holy Spirit playing in this process? [37:50]
4. Consider the vision, intention, and means (VIM) model discussed in the sermon. What is one specific area of your life where you can apply this model to grow in Christlikeness? [43:13]
5. What cultural or personal barriers do you face that hinder your spiritual growth? How can you overcome these barriers to embrace righteousness as true life? [45:01]
6. Think of a time when you reacted impulsively in a way that did not reflect Christ's character. What spiritual discipline could help you respond more like Christ in the future? [34:39]
7. How can you cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in your daily interactions, especially in challenging situations? Identify one fruit to focus on this week and a specific action to practice it. [39:51]

Devotional

Day 1: The Will's Dimensions in Spiritual Growth
Understanding the will in its vital, reflective, and embodied forms is crucial for spiritual growth. The vital will is driven by immediate desires, much like a child reaching for what is appealing. If left unchecked, this can lead to a life dominated by impulses. The reflective will, however, seeks what is beneficial for the person as a whole, not just what is desired. This is where the conflict between good and bad arises, and it is through the reflective will, guided by the teachings of Christ, that one can live a life that glorifies God. The embodied will is where these choices become automatic, ingrained in our very being. Spiritual formation aims to transform our embodied will so that our automatic responses align with the teachings and character of Christ. [25:12]

"For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." (Romans 7:19, ESV)

Reflection: Identify an area in your life where your immediate desires often take control. How can you begin to engage your reflective will to seek what is truly good in this area?


Day 2: Transformation Through Christ's Teachings
Spiritual formation in Christ transforms our embodied will, making our automatic responses reflect Christ's character. This transformation involves the whole person—body, soul, and spirit—and requires active participation in spiritual disciplines, not just passive reception of teachings. It is about forming the character of Christ within us, leading to a life where our natural responses reflect Christ's love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit. This transformation is not about achieving perfection but about growing in wisdom and grace, moving towards a life that embodies the teachings of Jesus. [31:42]

"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, ESV)

Reflection: What spiritual discipline can you commit to this week to help transform your automatic responses to align more closely with Christ's character?


Day 3: The Role of the Holy Spirit and Community
While the Holy Spirit is essential in spiritual formation, it also involves our active participation and the influence of our community. This process is about forming Christ's character within us, leading to a life that naturally reflects His love and virtues. The community around us plays a significant role in this transformation, providing support, accountability, and encouragement. Engaging with others who are also on this journey can help us grow and stay committed to the path of spiritual formation. [37:50]

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your community can you reach out to for support and accountability in your spiritual journey? How can you also be a source of encouragement for them?


Day 4: Vision, Intention, and Means (VIM)
Spiritual formation requires a vision of what it means to live like Christ, the intention to pursue this life, and the means to achieve it. This involves cultivating habits and responses that align with Christ's teachings, moving beyond mere avoidance of sin to embracing righteousness as true life. The VIM model encourages believers to have a clear vision of Christlikeness, a strong intention to pursue it, and practical means to achieve it through spiritual disciplines and community support. [43:13]

"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, ESV)

Reflection: What is your vision of living like Christ? What specific intentions and means can you set in place to pursue this vision?


Day 5: Overcoming Cultural and Personal Barriers
Spiritual formation challenges cultural norms and personal habits that conflict with Christ's teachings. It requires a commitment to growth and transformation, recognizing that sin is not a deprivation but a hindrance to true life in Christ. This journey involves identifying and overcoming barriers that prevent us from fully embracing the life Christ offers. By committing to this path, we can experience the fullness of life that comes from living in alignment with Christ's teachings. [45:01]

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5, ESV)

Reflection: What cultural or personal barriers are hindering your spiritual growth? How can you begin to address these barriers with the help of Christ and your community?

Quotes


"and functionally the will is the executive center of the self and when it comes to life in god through the new birth then the task is the redirection of the whole self will is not exactly character but is formed into character as it becomes habitual and automatic" [00:24:56]

"first of all there is what i call vital or impulsive will and this is willing that is outwardly directed and moved and moving toward things that are simply attractive you see this in a baby a little baby very quickly begins to be attracted to things and to reach for them and move in relationship to them and that's really all there is to the will in the little baby" [00:25:44]

"the reflective will is oriented towards what is good for the person as a whole not merely to what is desired so the conflict now that we all know too well as human beings between the good and the bad and the good and the not so good and so on that goes on in people's lives and that trips up people at all levels of life in our christian circles" [00:27:17]

"when you bring the reflective will to life in christ and add the instruction of the law and the person of christ then you have the wherewithal for a person to live in such a way that god is glorified in everything that they do and so these great passages like colossians 3 17 watch whatsoever you do in word or deed do all in the name of the lord jesus christ giving thanks to god the father through him" [00:28:58]

"embodied will an embodied will is where one of these other two have sunk down into your body to such an extent that you automatically do what they dictate and this is the standard situation for most human beings on earth is that their body is running their life from choices that have formed their will and set it in their body" [00:29:13]

"spiritual formation in christ transforms your embodied will it transforms your embodied will so that what comes out of you automatically are the words and deeds of christ now we never get to the point of where we can stop thinking about this we always have to reflect we always will have desires there's nothing wrong with desires in themselves it's when they become our masters which is the common circumstance in human life" [00:31:42]

"christian spiritual formation is the process through which the embodied slash reflective will takes on the character of christ's will christian spiritual formation is the process through which the embodied slash reflective will takes on the character of christ's will the process through which and now you all know galatians 4 19 through which christ is formed in you and in me christ is formed in us" [00:32:49]

"spiritual formation is not all by the holy spirit none without the holy spirit none without it but there's always more involved and that i think is the deepest challenge to the very idea of obedience to christ in our time is to recognize that spiritual formation is something that is done also by those around us to us and by ourselves by our own chosen activities" [00:37:50]

"spiritual formation in christ would ideally lead to a person whose reflective will for good fully informed and possessed by christ has settled into their body in its social context to such an extent that their natural responses was always to think and feel and do as christ himself would their epidermal as well as their deliberate responses are those of christ" [00:38:49]

"the process requires that we have a vision of what it would be like what it what would it be like for me to live a life in which i am able to do the things that jesus taught what would it be like what kind of a person let's go back to you know the sort of hostile interactions that you get all the time i mean what would it be like to be a person who genuinely genuinely was able to bless those who cursed them" [00:43:13]

"sin is not something good which god has deprived us of by his commandments you know as if somehow it would be perfectly wonderful if he didn't just have a thing about it you know sin is slop and righteousness is life the real stuff sexual purity is life not being dominated by anger that's really living not to have contempt for anyone that's life" [00:45:01]

"we have to decide we're going to do it i mean suppose you or i were to decide that we were actually going to become the kind of person who could bless those who curse them we could do that it isn't impossible to return evil for evil is not like the law of gravity it's simply a habit that is used and ruled by satan to keep the world in the mess it's in" [00:46:12]

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Transcript
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