“My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” (Galatians 4:19 ESV).
Paul had already brought the Galatians to faith in Christ, but now he saw them drifting into religious legalism. With parental tenderness, he described himself as a mother in labor, groaning until Christ was formed in them. The Greek word morphoō speaks of shaping, of being formed, becoming like Christ. This isn’t about outward rule-keeping but inward transformation. Paul’s vision for them echoes God’s purpose revealed elsewhere: “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29) and to be “transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory” (2 Cor. 3:18). In other words, Paul was praying and laboring for their sanctification—the Spirit’s ongoing work of making believers more like Jesus.
This verse challenges us to see sanctification as the central aim of the Christian life. Salvation is not only about forgiveness but also about formation—Christ being fully formed in us. Too often, we measure spirituality by outward performance, yet Paul reminds us that what matters is inward transformation by the Spirit. Sanctification is God’s work, but we must yield daily by abiding in Christ, meditating on His Word, and walking in step with the Spirit. The question we must ask is: Are we looking more like Jesus today than we did yesterday? Is His character being reflected in our thoughts, words, and actions? As Christ is formed in us, others should see His love, humility, and holiness lived out through us.
PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for calling us not only to salvation but to sanctification. Forgive us when we settle for outward appearances instead of inward transformation. By Your Spirit, conform us to the image of Your Son. Day by day, transform us from one degree of glory to another until Christ is fully formed in us. May our lives display His presence in us and bring glory to His name. In Jesus’ name, amen.