“My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you” (Galatians 4:19)
It is entirely possible to start off right as a born again believer but to quickly get off track. Paul saw this happening with the Galatians. “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel” (Gal. 1:6) Getting off track is no mere deviation from correct doctrine; it results from a failure to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit who would guide us into all truth. Any version of Christianity that does not promote obedience to the Spirit, but elevates obedience to someone or something else, is “another gospel.”
Paul feared for the path that the Galatians were on. He questioned their direction: “Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:3) “Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?” (Gal. 5:7) What God had intended to do in their life was being “short-circuited” by their faith in what circumcision and a commitment to keep the law would do for them. Unless they turned back to a devotion to the Spirit, Paul was afraid his labor among them would all be for nothing. “I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.” (Gal. 4:11)
Through obedience to the Spirit of Christ we are formed into the image of Christ. Without such obedience, what do we become but religious individuals. God’s destiny for His church is much more than heaven; it is Christ Himself. Paul pressed toward this mark. He was apprehended by Christ, so he would apprehend Christ. (Philippians 3:13,14) This is not only the example Paul gave; it was the gospel he preached. Above all, it is the aim of the work of the Holy Spirit within us.
Walk in obedience to the Spirit and you will become far more than a religious person; the image of Christ will be formed in you.