As a theologian and bible teacher, one of the most common questions I get is “how does spiritual formation actually happen?” That is, when I talk about the biblical notion of sanctification and how the Holy Spirit— on the basis of Christ’s atoning work—conforms us to the image of Christ, people want to know the nuts and bolts of how that happens. Spirit-filled Christians believe that the radical transformation of our very nature certainly is possible and to be expected, but how does it happen? Where does the rubber meet the road?
There is a very simple answer to that question: the means of grace. The reality is that getting into God’s presence transforms us. It is absolutely essential that we never, ever forget that it’s not doctrine that saves, it is a reconciled relationship with the Holy Trinity that is salvation (and yes, I realize that that is a “doctrinal statement” :)). Salvation is a love relationship. When we become Christians, the personal, intimate presence of God is restored in us and we are thereby born anew and grow in his image. The image of God is restored in us by his presence.
This being the case, transformation requires getting into God’s presence (and God’s presence getting into us). The wonderful news is that God has given his church authorized (or “ordained”) things that we can do to get into that presence. Those things are the means of grace. Means of grace include (but aren’t limited to) communion, prayer, worship, Bible study, Christian fellowship, fasting, and other spiritual disciplines. God also extends his presence to us in a special way when we serve him out of obedience driven by love. When we serve the poor, feed the hungry, and evangelize, his character-shaping presence is born in us and transforms us at the deepest levels. He shapes our emotions, our wills, and our behaviors this way.
Is God’s presence always with us? Of course! But we encounter his life-transforming presence in a special way when we enter into his presence by the means of grace.
Lent is a season of going deeper. This doesn’t just mean going deeper in our knowledge of Scripture, church history, and theology. It’s going deeper in our relationship with God. It’s giving God access to parts of us that we didn’t even know existed. This means getting into the means of grace. Meet him in those things and be transformed this Lent.
