Let Christ be Forming in You Today

Let Christ be Forming in You Today ― Jay Zinn

WHENEVER I THINK of Peter's words that we can partake of the Divine nature of Christ (2 Peter 1:3-4), I don't feel that I can partake of that promise when confronted with my sins, faults, and failures. That is a level of character no one is born with, naturally or spiritually.

Yes, we're a new creation when we're born again, but walking in the fullness of the divine nature isn't instantaneous. It's available only by "adding to" our new birth through forming kingdom habits. "Adding to" is a continuous process of spiritual growth, where we cultivate habits and attitudes that reflect Christ's nature.

We often desire the Divine to manifest in us grandiosely, like Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, rather than the humble Jesus washing the disciples' feet at the Last Supper. Yet, this humility shows that even ordinary aspects of life can become extraordinary when Christ works in us.

Jesus used no supernatural abilities until the last three-and-a-half years of his life. Only a handful of miracles―like the multiplied loaves & fishes―occurred in the context of the "masses." The other supernatural displays of power occurred mainly in the obscurity of individuals' homes, small towns, and villages and along the highways and byways. Even when his garments turned brilliant white on the Mount of Transfiguration and God spoke, only Peter, James, and John experienced that; the other disciples were in the valley below, trying to cast out a demon.

As disciples of the Lord, we must remind ourselves that our faithfulness to the seemingly routine tasks of life is not in vain. Our character is shaped in these moments to reflect more of Christ's divine nature. As the saying goes, "He who is faithful in the little things will be faithful in much."

Our obedience to "tasks at hand" [i.e., doing them as unto the Lord] will pull on the supernatural nature of Christ in us at moments when God engineers a divine appointment with someone—a "divine appointment" where we can reflect Christ's nature in our actions and words. If we remember this, we'll never feel insignificant about doing today's mundane duties. Suppose we stay obedient to forming daily habits of faithfulness in the minor matters we attend to. In that case, we're actually "adding to" the Divine nature of Christ forming in us―every bit of which is sacred, and none of it secular.

Don't despise your life if it seems dull and ineffective in God's kingdom today. Instead, add to it! Add faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love (2 Peter 1:5-7). Then―when it comes time for God to use you in a flash of brilliance and illumination to manifest the image of Christ in you for someone else―you'll be ready for it!