When Christ is Formed in Me - Damon J. Gray

I have an unpublished manuscript, written roughly ten years ago (could never persuade an agent to pick it up), tltled, The Christ-Saturated Life. It explores one question: If I could be so saturated with the heart and mind of Jesus that there was room within me for nothing more, saturated to the point that Jesus is shining through my pores, what would I look like? What kind of man would I be?

Confirmed to Christ’s Image

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

The call to be conformed to the image of Christ¹ is found throughout the New Testament.

…my little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!
– Galatians 4:19, ESV

It is the desire of God that believers attitudinally and morally reflect the image of Christ as we imitate him in our daily walk and behavior. Old habits dissolve as new habits replace them, habits aligned with a new identity that mirrors God’s character. Arrogance and bravado give way to humility. Narcissism collapses under the weight of the selflessness demonstrated by our King and Master who lived among us as one who serves.

In the 1990s, Janie Higgins, a church youth leader in Holland, Michigan, created colorful, fabric bracelets for members of her youth group in an effort to help them retain the message of a book written decades before they were even born. The message on the bracelets read, “WWJD?”

The idea exploded, leading to the sale of millions of rubber bracelets, hats, shirts, and other merchandise to be worn by teenagers and adults as a visible badge of their faith. While most folks know what the acronym stands for, few know where it was actually born.

In 1896, Charles M. Sheldon published the source document that, one hundred years later, would inspire the 1990’s WWJD movement, a novel titled In His Steps. The novel tells the story of a minister who persuaded his congregation to pledge for one year not to take any action without first asking and answering the question, “What would Jesus do?

The Difficult Part

Conceptually, we can embrace the concept of conforming to the image of Christ. We see the virtue of such a calling and grant mental assent to it most-willingly. In practice, however, there is one call to Christlikeness that gives us pause and elicits an unspoken, “Oh, but do I have to?”

But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.
– 1 Peter 2:20b-21, ESV

In his steps…

It is a noble thing to walk in the footsteps of Jesus as he gives and serves and heals and ministers. We don’t mind it when people fawn and gush over the depth of our humble service. It’s another matter, entirely, when those steps lead to injustice, beatings, scourging, and ultimately an unjust death.

Let’s put the statement from Peter in a broader context.

For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God.
– 1 Peter 2:19-20, ESV

I am struck by Peter’s choice of χάρις (khar’-ece) in both verses above. Translators wrestled with how to represent it here, but I believe “grace”is the perfect choice. It is the case that words can mean close but different things in varied contexts. Still, in it its purest, root form, χάρις is grace.

In our currrent context, then, to bear and reflect the image of Christ has to include enduring unjustified suffering, character defamation, and the grossest disrespect and dishonor with both grace and patience.

When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly.
– 1 Peter 2:23, ESV

He was oppressed, and he was afflicted,
    yet he opened not his mouth;
like a lamb that is led to the slaughter,
    and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent,
    so he opened not his mouth.
– Isaiah 53:7, ESV

The human instinct for self-preservation extends beyond physical protection to character assassination and insult. But that is not the Jesus instinct. Jesus could have called in excess of twelve legions of angels to his rescue.² but he went willingly, without objection, without resistance.

One Final Consideration

Returning to our context in 1 Peter 2, Jesus’ was silent in his sufferings, but it is important to realize that he was silent in his suffering on behalf of others. His suffering was for me!

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
– 1 Peter 2:24, ESV

Bearing the image of Christ means suffering quietly on behalf of others. We even suffer on behalf of others when it is the suffering they deserve. That’s a heavy calling.

1. Romans 8:29, Galatians 4:19, Ephesians 4:22–24, Philippians 2:5, 1 Peter 2:21, 1 John 2:6
2. Matthew 26:53