“The Disciplined Life” Pt 1:
Google states, “Discipline,” is the practice of training people to obey rules or code of behavior. In a broader sense, it encompasses self-control. It also states discipline is an act of teaching proper conduct to children for future behavior. If a person lacks self-control, they are out of control.
What does discipline mean to you? It’s fair to say, it’s different things for different people. It certainly can apply to personal behavior and one’s conduct. It also could mean a regimented routine of training for military personnel, law enforcement officers, firefighters, athletes, and countless other things. Discipline includes time management making sure adequate time is set aside for study, forsaking certain things so effort can be put forth to reach a personal goal.
There’s one thing for sure. We all need discipline in our lives, especially when it comes to Christian conduct. God calls believers to a higher standard of lifestyle. He identifies this lifestyle as “holiness.” Ephesians 5:1 describes the Christian life in four simple words, “Be imitators of God!”
Spiritual growth comes through systematic and often sacrificial training. It’s setting spiritual goals and committing to those goals. If we’re to “imitate God,” then we better find out as much about Him as we possibly can. How does He relate to people, act under pressure, and respond when abused or criticized by others? I can promise, once you dig into God’s Word and discover what Jesus is really like, you’ll say, “ I could never live like that!” And you’re right.
Thankfully we don’t have to do it alone, for the more we read and study about Jesus, we discover the third person of the Trinity. The Holy Spirit will help us. What relief to know we don’t have to fight spiritual warfare and other battles alone. But like the soldier, we must be prepared for battle every moment for they come without warning.
Over the next couple days, I’ll be sharing some things to help each of us develop a “Disciplined spiritual life.” Faith isn’t mystical or magical. It’s practiced obedience which allows God to form our spiritual reflexes through repetition.
Pastor Carnes
