Week #3: The Need for Christ-formity through Cruciformity
Blog Series Intention Recap:
This four-week series for Thanksgiving teaches us that our lives, plans, and hopes for the future are in good hands. Christians are called to become like Christ in the here and now, entrusting the future to a God who always works for their best in the world. This sermon series reminds us that God’s Providence will take care of tomorrow as long as we live justly today. Join us as we dig into the theological concept of “Providence.”
This post is part of the series “He Holds the Future.” Click here to check out the other posts.
Let’s jump into Week #3:
In week one, we looked at the word - Providence. Providence? What does the concept of providence mean? This old-fashioned word has an important meaning for us today. Let’s look at how Providence is defined:
Providence [ prov-i-duhns ] noun
(often initial capital letter) the foreseeing care and guidance of God over the creatures of the earth.
(initial capital letter) God, especially when realized as omnisciently directing the universe and the affairs of humankind with wise benevolence.
Understanding God’s Plans for Our Life
Romans 8:28–30 tells us that if we are in Christ, we have been called by God. This calling is not random; it is part of God's plan for us. Paul writes, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28, NIV). God’s purpose is for us to be like Jesus. Our final destiny, planned long ago, is to be glorified. Paul explains, "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters" (Romans 8:29, NIV).
The Process of Growing in Christ
As Christians, our lives are a journey of growing and maturing to be more like Jesus. God calls us to grow in His grace and be transformed into the likeness of Christ. This process takes time and effort, requiring our active participation. We call this process “sanctification”. In theological terms, sanctification is the work of God’s grace whereby believers are progressively transformed into the image of Christ. This transformation involves renewing the whole person's mind, will, emotions, and actions. It is both a definitive act and an ongoing process.
This journey of sanctification is deeply tied to the concept of cruciformity. Cruciformity is a way of living that mirrors the self-giving love, humility, sacrifice, and obedience to God shown by Jesus in His crucifixion. In Galatians 2:30, Paul says, “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” It is about allowing the cross to shape every part of our lives, fostering a deep connection with Jesus’ sacrificial love and redemptive work.
The Importance of Christ-formity
The story of Johnny Manziel, shown in the documentary "Untold: Johnny Football," warns us about wasted potential. Manziel had great talent in college football but wasted his opportunities, choosing money, fame, and pleasure over discipline and growth. Like Manziel and football, Christians have great potential in Christ. However, we must choose to live according to our calling. We must commit to the way of Jesus, dedicating ourselves to growth and maturity so we do not waste the opportunity God has given us.
To fulfill our main purpose—being conformed to the image of Christ or Christ-formity—we must prioritize this goal. Our focus must be clear and strong. Paul shows us this in Philippians 3:7-9: "But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. Moreover, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ." Paul’s words show that knowing Christ is more important than anything else.
Consider the life of Michael Jordan, one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan's dedication to his sport was unparalleled. He practiced tirelessly, always pushing himself to be better. His focus was singular—becoming the best. Jordan’s commitment meant making sacrifices, such as giving up leisure activities and enduring grueling training sessions. Similarly, Christians must have the same dedication to becoming like Christ. Our focus on glorification in Christ should be greater than all other goals.
The Role of Cruciformity in Our Lives
Cruciformity, or living a life shaped by the cross of Christ, is central to this journey. It involves:
Self-Giving Love: Living selflessly for others, as Jesus did.
Humility: Following Christ's example of humility, recognizing our dependence on God.
Sacrifice: Being willing to make sacrifices for the sake of following Christ and loving others.
Obedience to God: Committing to follow God's will, even when it is difficult.
Redemption and Transformation: Continuously dying to oneself and being renewed in Christ.
Our journey involves being shaped by God. Every event in our lives has a purpose in this process. God leads us to become complete in Christ. This is our hope and assurance: God is involved in every part of our lives, guiding us to a wonderful end in Him. Paul’s promise in Romans 8:28 that "God works all things together for the good of those who love him" is key to our faith. This does not mean life will be easy, but it means God uses every situation to help us grow. God is a God of redemption, turning our mistakes into growth opportunities.
The Call to Devotion and Sacrifice
To achieve our divine calling, we must live lives of devotion and sacrifice. This means putting our spiritual growth first, above all else. The world offers many distractions, but we must focus on our main purpose. We must be willing to give up personal goals and comforts for our divine destiny. Johnny Manziel’s story warns us about misplaced priorities. In contrast, Paul’s life shows us how to live fully devoted to Christ. He counted all things as loss for the sake of knowing Christ, showing us the dedication we need.
So, How Does This Help Me Understand “He Holds the Future?”
Romans 8:28–30 calls us to recognize the importance of our calling to be conformed to the image of Christ. Our main purpose and destiny are in this truth. To reach this goal, we must prioritize our spiritual growth above all else, dedicating ourselves to becoming like Christ. As we go through life, we can trust that God is working in every detail, redeeming our experiences, and leading us to our glorious destiny in Him.
Let us embrace this calling with dedication, making the pursuit of Christ-formity and cruciformity the focus of our lives. In doing so, we fulfill the purpose for which we were created, moving closer to the day we will be perfected in God’s love and glorified in His presence. When we focus on life transformation, we trust God’s ability to hold us secure even as He holds the future.
