The topic of self-discipline is not high on the priority list for most of us as believers, but it's one of the keys to fulfilling the purpose of God. Often times we hear that topic mentioned and most of us immediately think of an army drill sergeant, a combat soldier, a world class weightlifter or gymnast, etc. Our thoughts are correct that these are people with great self-discipline, but we need to receive that same spirit when it comes to the Kingdom of God. The reality about most of us is that when we choose not to walk in self-discipline, we are left to be disciplined from an outside source.
Consider a child who disobeys. Due to immaturity and the sin nature a child needs to be disciplined and corrected on very basic issues that we all would agree on: respect others, obey God, obey those in authority, don't steal, don't write on the wall with crayons :-), etc. Without this external discipline, children won't get to the point of self-discipline in these areas. Over time our expectation is that through external discipline, children will come to self-discipline. Come on, how many of you really expect a co-worker to throw a tantrum with the boss, take a highlighter and start writing notes on the wall or show up to work an hour late because they were enjoying a TV show and some really good cereal. Clearly, self-discipline is much more than a 5am workout, boot camp, a weightlifting regiment or being obcessive compulsive about everything. It encompasses every area of life and includes things like making the decision to do the right thing, accomplishing necessary tasks, remaining faithful to the commitments you've made, and most of all obeying the word of God. Jesus made a powerful statement in John 8:31-32:
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My
disciples indeed.
32"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (NKJV)
By calling the 12 disciples what he did - DISCIPLES, and then saying in Matthew 28:18-20 that they were to go and make disciples (you and I), discipline was forever established as a characteristic that followers of Jesus Christ should have. Jesus knew that He was going to pour out the Holy Spirt which would empower us to do all that he had called us to do, so when He spoke those powerful words in John 8:31-32, He didn't ask us to do an impossible thing. What he was calling us to do was to bring our flesh under subjection so that we could abide (continue) in His word in order to be true disciples and then come to know the truth and it would make us free. Free to do what? I dare say that the 'what' is His will.
Realize today that God's purpose is there in each of our lives, but the step of self-discipline must be taken to fulfill it. Never allow yourself to be one who needs a lot of outside maintenance. Choose to be low-maintenance and high impact. God has given us his Spirit to guide us and direct us in all things and thankfully if we ever get off track, we have the family of God to help keep us on the straight and narrow. Rejoice that God can provide outside forces such as brothers, sisters, leaders, pastors, etc. in order to help you maintain discipline, but always look to be self-disciplined by the power of Holy Spirit. Greater fruit always comes when we choose the path of obedience and discipline without having to be nudged back onto the path by others. We accomplish more when we don't have to spend a lot of time being corrected. Better to hear the word and obey the first time than to walk in error and waste time that can never be recaptured.
My word in short: embrace the grace to be self-disciplined.
Consider a child who disobeys. Due to immaturity and the sin nature a child needs to be disciplined and corrected on very basic issues that we all would agree on: respect others, obey God, obey those in authority, don't steal, don't write on the wall with crayons :-), etc. Without this external discipline, children won't get to the point of self-discipline in these areas. Over time our expectation is that through external discipline, children will come to self-discipline. Come on, how many of you really expect a co-worker to throw a tantrum with the boss, take a highlighter and start writing notes on the wall or show up to work an hour late because they were enjoying a TV show and some really good cereal. Clearly, self-discipline is much more than a 5am workout, boot camp, a weightlifting regiment or being obcessive compulsive about everything. It encompasses every area of life and includes things like making the decision to do the right thing, accomplishing necessary tasks, remaining faithful to the commitments you've made, and most of all obeying the word of God. Jesus made a powerful statement in John 8:31-32:
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in My word, you are My
disciples indeed.
32"And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." (NKJV)
By calling the 12 disciples what he did - DISCIPLES, and then saying in Matthew 28:18-20 that they were to go and make disciples (you and I), discipline was forever established as a characteristic that followers of Jesus Christ should have. Jesus knew that He was going to pour out the Holy Spirt which would empower us to do all that he had called us to do, so when He spoke those powerful words in John 8:31-32, He didn't ask us to do an impossible thing. What he was calling us to do was to bring our flesh under subjection so that we could abide (continue) in His word in order to be true disciples and then come to know the truth and it would make us free. Free to do what? I dare say that the 'what' is His will.
Realize today that God's purpose is there in each of our lives, but the step of self-discipline must be taken to fulfill it. Never allow yourself to be one who needs a lot of outside maintenance. Choose to be low-maintenance and high impact. God has given us his Spirit to guide us and direct us in all things and thankfully if we ever get off track, we have the family of God to help keep us on the straight and narrow. Rejoice that God can provide outside forces such as brothers, sisters, leaders, pastors, etc. in order to help you maintain discipline, but always look to be self-disciplined by the power of Holy Spirit. Greater fruit always comes when we choose the path of obedience and discipline without having to be nudged back onto the path by others. We accomplish more when we don't have to spend a lot of time being corrected. Better to hear the word and obey the first time than to walk in error and waste time that can never be recaptured.
My word in short: embrace the grace to be self-disciplined.
2 comments:
Great post baby! Disobedience brought frustration, curse, and danger to himself and those around him when Jonah chose to do his own thing and not go to Nineveh. But obedience afterwards, brought him joy peace and blessings and the same things came to the people of Nineveh as well.
Oh, how much better it would have been, and danger averted, and time not wasted, if only Jonah had obeyed immediately!!
Challenging words are good!
Great encouragement! Discipline equals freedom; no discipline equals chaos! Personally I am on the freedom train! However, Nike's proclamation to Just Do It can leave you feelings of guilt, remorse, and insecurity when you fail in an area yet again. It is only complete surrender to His Lordship of our lives and then trust that He will lead us that we will succeed in any area. Challenging words are good indeed!
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