The word "discipline" naturally brings to mind something that is difficult. However, without discipline in life there would be very little greatness or high achievement in any field. Any person who is at the top of his profession has gotten there through discipline. These high achievers understand that to "go up" you have to "give up." They understand the principle that sacrifice is necessary to achieve their goals in life. You can't have it all and be the very best in what you do. This is also true in our Christian life.Too many believe that salvation, forgiveness of sins, and restoration of relationship with Christ is all that is needed for success in the Christian life. It is true that salvation is free, but growing into a holy life will cost us something. We are called to be disciples. Notice the root word, discipline. Here's where the problem begins. We want to know our sins are forgiven and our ticket is punched for heaven, but forget about the stuff inbetween. The life between salvation and eternity is to be one of continual growth in wisdom and knowledge of the Lord, obtained by a disciplined lifestyle.
If true spiritual transformation is going to occur in our lives, we must engage ourselves in the spiritual disciplines that God has given us. These disciplines are God's way to transform us int his image. God knows when the inner man is truly changed, it will be reflected in his outer actions. The inner disciplines of prayer, meditation, and Bible study, are not to be approached with drudgery or mechanically, but with joy and sincerity of heart.
If you are tired of a less-than-victorious faith,spiritual oppression, and missing the abundant life God has for you, it is time to check out the disciplines. This week we will begin a study looking into God's word for the key disciplines that will lead to true success in our spiritual lives. I pray you will take the challenge to move into some deeper water in your Christian life.
See you Sunday. We will talk about that.
Pastor Jeff
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