Formation by information!

Recently I?ve heard a phrase several times that goes something like this, ?Christians should not be seeking information but formation?. That statement has an aspect of truth, but to often there seems to be a denigrating and judgmental attitude against people seeking biblical knowledge and in-depth Bible studies. This attitude doesn?t bear out or hold any weight in any arena of secular life. Would any of us go to a doctor that has not gone through countless, repetitive and informative classes, research and internships? Pilots, professors, Cpa?s, doctors, police, scientists, pastors, mechanics, chef?s, stylists, computer programmers, military leaders, (take a breath) Ceo's, ship captain, architects, engineers Olympiads, teachers, lawyers and even truck drivers (only to mention a few) go through various aspects of training, learning and researching which have an information and application aspect. Would you rely on any of them if they hadn't?


Granted, we?ve heard of people who practice without a license, unauthorized, uncertified. Heck, Leonardo DiCaprio starred in the movie ?Catch Me If You Can? which was based on the true life story of a fraud. In comparison, we?ve seen what I call, ?Christian parrots?. There are people who memorize and quote facts and passages, emotionally unattached to the information. They quote the Bible as if it were a magical talisman, lucky charm or rabbit?s foot. It?s often quoted to ward off evil spirits, or have the hand of God move on their behalf. They can win Bible trivia games but they can?t get their life straight, they quote and quote but don?t put to death sins, attitudes or agendas that God has declared as unpleasing to Him; And that?s not even talking about the countless ?professional Christians? that justify and manipulate the masses for ill gotten and selfish gains through various forms of media.


This is not to be confused with the Christian who is learning to memorize for the sake of coming under the disciple of God?s authority in their life. They for a time will quote and quote and know the facts until it is actually applied, deciphered, scrutinized, made sense of, learned from, submitted to and walked out. Then they no longer need to quote for quoting sake, they quote or paraphrase it because it has worked itself into their life and transformed an apsect of who they are, their character. In that area they have become soft clay in the potter?s hand formed by yielding to the at times uncomfortable and relentless pressure within God?s workshop. (Galatians 3:23-25)


I would submit that true spiritual formation takes place after a conscious choice to believe, with the search for and application of studied and applied information that is then breathed upon by the Holy Spirit and the impartation of His power to be formed. We are justified by faith in Jesus' work on the cross for us, but we are sanctified by continued submission, obedience and application of the knowledge and authority of God?s principles, laws and ways though the impartation and illumination of the Holy Spirit. Study and application takes a series of facts, seemingly fragmented and disjointed trivia, like clay and then as we submit to the pressure of God's hands (impartation of Holy Spirit, and His activity in our lives) to creating a vessel of honor. This is a radical transforming process.


When ?information? is simply a noun in our life, it is unfruitful, agreed. When we have been 'informed' as a verb by the impartation of the Holy Spirit's power and authority breathed into the knowledge we have as we submit, we are trans'formed'.

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