Summarize
“Living more like Jesus” is the overarching theme for Issler's book. The unique approach
to spiritual formation examines underlining practices for utilization as an example of living life
in Christ. Issler’s objective directs the reader to life in Jesus rather than learning the lessons
meant to guide the disciple’s life. Life change is more than behavioral modification but a change
in world view. Therefore, Issler asserts that “to changing our external behavior… it’s really
about changing the flow of our inner heart.”1 He argues that real-life change rests upon the
condition of the heart. Therefore, a person’s life is not coordinated by choices, but the capacity
of the heart. The heart holds all that a person holds dear and value.
Issler addresses the formation gaps or blind spots that exist that can potentially distract
the Christian in their faith walk. He uses the parable of the soil to describe these gaps that
“hinder movements of our heart.”2 These gaps, as he outlines, are the dismissive gap,
disengaged gap, discrepancy gap, distracted gap, disconnected gap, and dismiss gap. There are
dangers that teachers, pastors, counselors, need to be aware that may unintentionally reinforce
formation gaps such as limiting life change to only a decision without instructing further
“engagement in the formation practice.”3 Additionally, “the overemphasis of Biblical cognition
without helping to nurture inner formation.”4 The connection between content and regular
engagement in the spiritual disciplines in cooperation of the Spirit aid spiritual formation.
Character formation demonstrated by Jesus displays a dependence on the Spirit that
evidence a worldview congruent with the Kingdom of God. Character formation in cooperation
1 Klaus Issler, Living into the Life of Jesus: The Formation of Christian Character (Downers Grove, IL:
InterVarsity Press, 2001). Location 79, Kindle
2 Ibid, Location 352, Kindle
3 Ibid, Location 529, Kindle
4 Ibid, Location 529, Kindle
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of the indwelling of the Spirit not only reshapes lives but worldviews. The Spirit calls Christians
to a growing intimacy with God.
The “so-what” of the book guides the reader to discover how to flourish in real spiritual
formation by recognizing the gaps that exist while depending upon the Spirit. Issler’s argument
reshapes lives and worldviews.
Respond
Where the book spoke to me profoundly begins when Issler addresses the subject of gaps
that affect the movements of my heart. Often, I ignore some of these gaps because I’ve become
over-occupied with life and responsibilities. As recent as the past week, the demands of ministry
has caused become overwhelming and have disrupted my time with God and family. It becomes
easy for me to drift into the mechanics of life rather than enjoying the journey.
Issler addresses the need for regular pauses in order to listen to the heart. Scheduled
pauses are affirmed by Psalm 46. The psalmist begins with an emphatic statement regarding a
God that provides refuge and strength, and the writer challenges me as the reader to “be still” or
pause in response to the God of refuge and strength. Without those pauses, unintentional
dissonance occurs that dramatically hinders the “the living and dynamic relationship”5 I have
been called to live. The reshaping that occurs with the cooperation with the Spirit and the
relationships with others aided my spiritual maturation.
A friendship I established with Kenneth back in 2000 provided me the framework of
spiritual formation with the Spirit and relationship. Kenneth’s concern to see me become the
best version of myself. His agenda was never to get me to come to church but to experience a
5 Paul Petit, Foundations of Spiritual Formation: A Community Approach to Becoming Like Christ (Grand
Rapids, MI: Kregel Publishing, 2008). 198
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deep, meaningful life in Christ. I remember rejecting help from him, and he said to me that I was
limiting his ability to be generous. His words were not harsh but a gentle correction.
The me I see now is one that needs to gain control of my time. I must pay attention to
and guard my time. Jesus understood that time must be adequately budgeted for the gathering of
my inner strength and resolve in order to compensate for my weakness when spiritual warfare
begins. Therefore, the need for margins is needed. Margins in my life allow me to establish an
environment for formation.
Reflect
I admit that scheduling pauses have come with challenges, but these pauses help in
maintaining the nourishing practices to foster my desire for the presence of the Lord. Issler
quotes D. L. Moody, “I need a continual infilling because I leak!”6 What I’ve discovered but
don’t admit is that the only thing I desire is satisfying my agenda. So, salvation is not just about
what I think about God, but how I respond to God’s graces and truth in a dynamic way.
The leak Moody describes is exacerbated by the gaps Issler outlines. What impressed
upon my heart was his interpretation of the five formation gaps. In some ways, I dismissed
viewing myself in light of the various gaps he describes because it was easier for me to remain in
my pastoral role. Obviously, Issler would describe this as the distracted gap. Distraction has
grown since I transitioned to Chicago from my home of Little Rock, AR.
I realize my personal responsibility of spiritual formation in the disciplines that I practice
and cooperating with the Spirit. Priorities in my life became unclear as I attempted to apply a
previous rhythm in a new environment without prayerfully examining priorities and rhythms.
Issler offers a key question, “Where am I off course and now needing realignment, Lord?”7 In
6 Ibid, Location 1387, Kindle
7 Ibid, Location 511, Kindle
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concert with the Spirit, David in Psalm 139 reveals the active practice of inviting God to perform
a diagnostic of his heart. David’s expectation of this diagnostic was to expose the gap areas of
his life. God confronting me never becomes any more comfortable, but avoidance provides a
palatable measure. However, David had an accountability partner in the person of Nathan.
Since the move, my accountability partners reach out to me periodically, yet the personal
encounters are dealers missed. My need for this community feeds this avoidance. After two
years, the search has yielded very little fruit or painful disappointment.
The me I want to see soon is to engage God and remain receptive to the areas
courageously. I desire to be part of a community of accountability soon to grow in favor with
man and God.
Act
The me I want to become is more evident. To become a better disciple of Christ, I will
schedule weekly diagnostics of my heart by asking some of the questions Issler outlines in the
section entitled, Wake Up to Five Formation Gaps to address these gaps. Unfortunately, not
addressing these gaps has caused inconsistency in my spiritual formation. There are moments of
great clarity, but then there are those depreciating moments that affect me as a pastor, husband,
and father. If my function as a disciple-maker will improve, it will hinge on how well I am
willing to confront gaps. As Issler also admonitions me to practice not only confronting my
gaps, but I must “befriend the Pharisee withing for peace and happiness.”8
I do not believe that confronting the inner Pharisee will come easy. I will adapt the
practice of the “kingdom community”9 and pursue this community to confront my gaps and
Pharisaical self. As colleague often says to me, “My eye can see everything else except its self.”
8 Ibid, Location 1669, Kindle
9 Ibid, Location 702, Kindle
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