A Golden Triangle of Spiritual Formation
I am currently reading The Great Omission by Dallas Willard and I came across something that I thought could be very helpful. He calls it the “Golden Triangle” of Spiritual Formation.
Side 1. The faithful acceptance of everyday problems. This is where we learn to do what the book of James teaches (and what Jesus modeled) and endure the trials and temptations that come our way. We see them as opportunities to strengthen our faith and produce patience and endurance. see James 1:2-3
Side 2. The interaction with God’s Spirit in and around us. This is where we learn to live and walk in the Spirit, as the Apostle Paul writes. As we do this, the gifts and fruit of the Spirit begin to become evident in our lives. It is in our daily living and interaction with the Spirit that we are transformed into Christ-likeness – becoming more like Jesus.
Side 3. The practice of Spiritual Disciplines. This is where we do something. These are the activities and exercises in which we “present ourselves as living sacrifices” before God. These are the practical, indirect means to inner change. They include things like solitude, prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, secrecy, study, and worship. This is the “behind the scenes” “training in righteousness” that shapes our inner person. Willard writes, “If we take note of and follow Jesus in what he did when he was not ministering or teaching, we will find ourselves led and enabled to behave as he did when he was “on the spot.”
Philipians 2:12-15 (emphasis mine) sums this all up for us:
continue to work out your salvationwith fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe
So of the three sides, which is the strongest in your life? Which needs some work?
Though it is part of his latest book, you can read the original article here.
