Galatians - Christ formed in Us - Galatians 4:19

Written by Paul J Bucknell on September, 17, 2025

Galatians 4:19 - Christ formed in Us - INSIDE OUT | Portraits of the Christian Life

The New Testament portrays the Christian life in various ways. Each portrait offers insights that aid us in our Christian journey. The clearer our goal, the easier it is to succeed! To grow spiritually, we need to understand what God has planned for us. One way to do this is to pay attention to how the Scriptures envision Christian life and development as a whole. We tend to live each day as it comes, but having a long-range view is very helpful for our spiritual growth.

Ways to Look at the Christian Life

By exploring our spiritual growth from different angles, we can develop more effectively. Each perspective enhances our dedication and understanding in following Jesus.

Peter, for example, emphasizes the steps to spiritual development within a repeating cycle of godly development (2 Peter 1), while Paul in Ephesians chapter 1 masterfully presents the broad eternal perspective of how our lives are connected to God’s eternal redemptive plan (Eph 1). Colossians possesses a cycle of spiritual revelation, revealing how our spiritual life is connected to spiritual insights (Col 1:9-11), reminding us of our quest: “That we may present every man complete in Christ” (Col 1:28). John takes a completely different approach in 1 John 2:12-14, which I refer to as The Flow.

Today’s study explores the Book of Galatians, which I call “Inside Out,” meaning the internal changes in knowing Christ produce outward evidence of genuine faith.

Different churches faced unique challenges that demanded tailored messages, and the same applies to our personal lives. The common theme that connects all these methods, even when they overlap, is that God’s Spirit, which He gives to His people (John 3:5), spurs us on toward spiritual growth. Signs of new life show themselves as the Spirit empowers us (Phil 1:6).

That’s why Paul dedicates the entire book of Galatians to addressing legalism. A misinterpretation of salvation will hinder one’s spiritual growth. Paul offers guidance for our Christian development throughout all six chapters of Galatians, to help us better understand our life in the Spirit. He also highlights Christ’s fullness in our lives as God’s goal for us, countering the legalists who were trying to earn peace with God by fulfilling the Law (Gal 2:16). This is the “Inside Out” theme.

We will explore four themes related to our Christian growth in Galatians: 1) the enormity of God’s salvation plan, 2) our identity as sons, 3) our outward decisions and actions (righteousness), and 4) our inward renewal (sanctification). Our main focus will be on the last two.

1. The Largeness of God’s Salvation Plan

It’s easy to get caught up in our lives and churches, forgetting about God’s global plan that spans across the ages. Just as the universe holds the stars or the ground supports our gardens, God’s eternal redemptive plan and His love extend into eternity and support the grand redemptive plan: to gather people from all nations to be His own forever. The Lord reveals His marvelous plan in His Word, which otherwise would be hidden from us.

Adam and Israel’s failure to fulfill their special calling to shine His light into the world caused great pain. However, God assures us of His success through His Spirit’s work in the church today. Missions demonstrate God’s zeal to reach the lost worldwide. He planned it before creation and continues to carry it out today through the lives of His people, the church.

When Paul addressed the Galatians, he identified God’s purpose to save people from within that region. “Who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age” (Gal 1:3). On a larger scale, Paul connects himself with God’s people in general by saying He rescues us.

The Galatian believers, and we who believe in Christ, are part of the promised seed to Abraham in Jesus Christ.

In order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:14)

In chapter 2, Paul points out that God reaches out to the nations, partly by sending Paul the Apostle, “seeing that I had been entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised” (Gal 2:7). And in chapter 3, Paul uses the Old Testament to defend God’s grand purpose to save the nations, “The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, ‘All the nations will be blessed in you’ (Gal 3:8).”

Paul concludes his emphasis on reaching the nations at the end of chapter 3. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise” (Gal 3:28-29). Although we might overlook other people groups, God doesn’t!

Inner transformations through knowing Christ demonstrate outward signs of authentic faith.

Let’s now discuss how people become part of God’s family.

2. Our Entry Through Faith in Christ

Everyone is equally created in God’s image, but is also equally guilty before Him, whether Jew or Gentile. Mankind sinned and lost God’s glory, shutting us up under sin. “But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe” (Gal 3:22). This malady crosses every border. Even the Jews’ reliance on their Jewishness exposes their futile efforts to fulfill God’s moral law in order to perfectly please Him and avoid His judgment.

Nevertheless knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the Law; since by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified. (Gal 2:16).

Both Jews and Gentiles enter God’s kingdom in the same way—through faith in Christ. The Gentiles (literally ‘nations’; also uncircumcised) are not second-class members but become part of the same people of God through Christ, just like the believing Jewish people. We all enter salvation through the same door, Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

3. Our Belonging to God in Christ

These last two themes throw light on our spiritual journey. They reveal a pattern for how God’s presence grows within us. Paul begins by explaining God’s commitment to us through sending His Son to live in us—we belong to Him. The final point (point 4) highlights the incredible results of this work within us.

This relationship goes both ways. We often think about salvation from our point of view and what benefits we receive from knowing Christ. We belong; we are His children; it’s to our advantage! “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (Gal 3:26). This is true, of course, with ‘grace’ beautifully reminding us, as it is used seven times in the book (Gal 1:3,6,15; 2:9,21; 5:4; 6:18).

God’s perspective of our salvation, however, holds equal importance. We belong to God because we are hidden in Christ. “For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ” (Gal 3:27). It’s similar to people involved in large financial contracts. They are proud to buy a new building, but during tough times when obligations or money are tight, they feel burdened and restricted. However liberating Christ’s work is for us, there are implications for the believer. We must follow Him, even when it gets difficult. As we persevere, we will discover that we are never freer and fulfilled than when we accept these restrictions as normal and helpful: “The will of God is that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Rom 12:2).

Paul highlights these struggles most clearly when he discusses being crucified with Christ.

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me (Gal 2:20).

This doesn’t mean a literal physical crucifixion, of course. Paul’s understanding of himself as dead to his own flesh frees him to fully “live by faith in the Son of God.” (See my book, “Dying to Self”.) Paul’s words reveal what it means to belong to Christ; we must follow Christ, not our own wishes. If we have two cars, one being a wreck and the other new, we can only enjoy the new one by refusing to drive the old one and choosing to drive the new one.

To truly experience the depth of intimacy with Christ, we must stop living for ourselves and start living according to His purpose. The sooner we resist the old ways tied to our selfish flesh, the more we can grow in the glory of Christ’s life within us. He rescued us from our old, cursed lives and brought us into new life in Christ (Gal 1:4).

Paul describes his own transition from persecuting believers to “now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.” (Gal 1:23). Each of us experiences this inner change that transforms our old ways, providing us with unique testimonies. Paul contrasts the greatness of God’s glorious purposes with our previous ways. “We are no longer under a tutor. For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus…heirs according to promise” (Gal 3:25-29). If we incorrectly see our salvation through the lens of the Law, then we will end up with a distorted view of our Christian lives under the weight of legalism. Misunderstandings about salvation can prevent us from entering its doors, but also hinder our growth as followers of Christ. We end up either running the wrong race or not running at all!

You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you (Gal 5:7-8).

Paul employs various images to help us comprehend the greatness of being in Christ. For example, those who come to know Christ have become sons with full inheritance rights, no longer relying on the Law as a tutor. “Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir through God” (Gal 4:7).

As God’s children, we possess His Spirit and are called to follow the Spirit. Only through living according to God’s way in Christ, as revealed through His Spirit living in us, can we clearly understand His instructions. “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit” (Gal 5:25).

In the final point, we will examine this pattern of spiritual growth more carefully. In today’s world, people seek experiences or focus on their emotions and feelings, but what we find in Christ is much more powerful.

4. Our Transformation: Christ in Us!

The title of this article is from Galatians 4:19, “My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you.” Paul was confused about how some could consider turning back to the old and unhelpful Law. In his plea for them, he describes God’s goal for our lives in a few powerful words: “Until Christ is formed in you.” This applies to all believers.

God’s goals for believers involve a complete transformation of our lives through Christ’s presence and rule. This does not erase our personalities, as Eastern religions suggest. God creates, or makes new, our true selves when we find ourselves in Christ. God empowers us to live according to His full purposes for our lives. Sanctification, then, is the process by which Christ’s presence develops in us and fills our entire being (note the “until”). It enlarges Christ’s glorious presence within us, where our dark and unfit parts are filled with the love of God in Christ.

“Until Christ is formed in you.”

This twofold process includes ‘crucifying’ or ‘dying to’ our old natures and following Christ. Following our flesh only results in sin. Dying to our flesh, our self-desires, must precede the bearing of the Spirit’s fruit, “Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal 5:24). God welcomes those who belong to Him by giving them salvation, but they must be filled with Christ through God’s Spirit in time (Gal 3:2,3,5). God designed man so that His glory would fill and radiate through us. This is the promise in Acts 2. In the Gospel, He restores this hope for us. His Spirit fills our lives as Christ is formed in us. Our blessings lead, not to boasting, but to humble us, as Paul boasted “in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Gal 6:14). The cross reminds us of God’s great mercy to these undeserving servants.

What does the fullness of Christ’s presence in our lives mean practically? In Galatians 5, Paul describes the Holy Spirit’s inner transformation of Christ within us. “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh” (Gal 5:16). The two ways of living are so opposed that Paul clearly presents them as opposites—the Spirit versus the flesh.

Galatians 5 presents the fruit of the Spirit listed as outward evidence of this inner transformation or the formation of Christ in us: “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23). Being free in Christ, we can “through love serve one another. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Gal 5:13-14). When Christ fills us, we live more Christlike.

Paul’s benediction at the end of Galatians helps us rightly assess our situation: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen” (Gal 6:18). When Christ’s grace unites with our spirit (Greek: pneumatos), the focus is not on the flesh—circumcision, but on the transformation of our spirits through the presence of Christ’s Spirit, “the Spirit of His Son” (Gal 4:6) working within us. The more His Spirit blends with our spirits, the more Christ is formed in us.

Grace is not just about saving us but also reflects God’s ongoing work to show the full power of His kingdom. Paul acknowledges his physical markings, the “brand-marks of Jesus” (Gal 6:17), but these and other sufferings are not meant to be ways to find peace with God. Instead, they demonstrate a life committed to God’s purposes. His grace transforms our lives and priorities, leading to the “fruit of the Spirit.” Our bodies and goals no longer limit or define us; instead, it is Christ’s fullness in our spirit and our outward relationships with others.

Summary

This Galatian portrait, “Inside Out,” illustrates the shortcomings of religion, our need for Christ, and the virtues of having Jesus Christ live within us. Legalism exerts control over our outer actions but cannot transform our inner selves. Only Jesus can do that, and His Spirit fills us with the fruit of His Spirit. Our Christian lives are daily experiences that help us dedicate ourselves more fully to God. We are still ourselves, but God’s glory is restored to us. He enables His love to shine through our lives. Perhaps we can think of salvation as turning on the lights inside our house or opening every curtain to let His light shine through us. This resembles a Thomas Kinkade painting of a glowing cottage. We dare to engage with the world, trusting our Father just as His Son trusted Him when on earth, because God’s grace fills our souls each day!