Charmaine at the Blogged Bible Study asked this question in here post for today:
“How do we know that Christ is formed in us? ”
The question arose from a passage of the weekly reading in Galatians 4:
“My dear children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth, until Christ is formed in you, how I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I am perplexed about you!” vv 19-20
I’m sure there are some good answers around that also go to the question, “How do we know we are saved?”, but the first thing that came to mind was this passage of scripture:
“For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” – Rom 8:29
Somewhere back in time, God predetermined that He would have a people that would be conformed to His Son’s image and brought then He brought it about. that “conforming to the image of the Son” is Christ being formed in us.
For those who have received Christ as Savior and Lord, it is happening already, and for those who are being drawn to the Cross it is a promise that it will happen when they do receive their Savior.
So that’s an objective look at the question.
If you are reading this, what say you?
The Battle Cry 
Objectively, we know because the Word says so. You are absolutely correct. And maybe we should leave it at that, because our senses often deceive us. However, I think a subjective consideration is also in order. “Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith…” (2Cor. 13:5) Of course, Paul then uses an objective standard, but uses a subjective standard for the opposite.
Let us not lay too much stress on the subjective standard, for that is how we have missed faith in the reality. But, let’s not completely do away with any subjective standard.
I do not mean this to apply to anyone else. SUBJECTIVE means ME, and ME alone. My subjectivity becomes objectivity when I apply the standard to someone else.
(Is this clear as mud? I don’t feel like I’ve communicated what I was trying to say.)
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I have a heartfelt AMEN on that one, Dale! What I hear is that there is objective truth and an experiential dimension. We get in trouble when we lose our balance. On one side of the balance beam is a ditch of arrogance and on the other a ditch of self-pride.
I think that my first response to the question is because of ongoing conversations where folks see no truth in scripture.
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I read Romans 8:29 when writing about Galatians 4 also. That is one of the things that spurred me to this question. Paul was upset that they were being deceived by fale teachers and going back to the rituals and practices of the law. I guess the better question would be are you IN Christ and is Christ in you? According to what Paul saw he was perplexed at their “behavior”. I like Dale’s reference to 2 Cor 13:5…Perhaps if we lived by the 2 Cor 13:5 we would not be deceived by false teachers or return to former ways or covet things because we would be examining ourselves by the Word. We’re to walk in the spirit and not in the flesh. Easier said than done but the word gives us clear instruction. The book of John will quickly cause you to examine yourself if you read it very considerately. His sheep hear his voice (???) Thanks for your references. It’s good to stir us to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. Thanks.
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How does one walk by the spirit and not according to the flesh? The only answer I have for that comes from knowing by experience that the more of God’s word I have stored up in my heart, the less I walk according to the flesh and the more I keep in step with the Spirit. And why is that? Phil 2:13 and Psalm 119:11 describe at least part of the ‘how’.
So again we have the written working in conjuction with the indwelling Spirit that produces ‘fruit’ of all kinds.
And when we examine ourselves, the Gold Standard against which we measure ourselves is the written word tat tells us what the fruit of the spirit is.
Thank you for that question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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