Monday, May 14, 2012

Discipline yourself to use the Disciplines


There is a simple yet effective formula that we humans use to learn how to do something and to succeed at things. We learn from others. We seek out those who have already done what we want to do and learn from them by talking to them, listening to them or reading their books.

Did you ever wonder where that concept came from? I don’t know for sure but I do know it is Biblical. When Jesus was putting his plan into action to teach the world how to be Christians he said to the disciples ‘follow me’. This meant spend time with me guys. Learn from me. I can teach you how to be my followers, my disciples.

The Apostle Paul also tells us in the Bible to follow his model, his example.

That is one way that Christianity has grown through the centuries. And continues to grow. But it is not the only way. God has given us the Bible so each of us can learn more about Him and what He wants us to become. He teaches in the Bible about prayer in Luke, the benefits of fasting in Acts and Luke, and about meditating in Luke, Matthew, Mark and Proverbs, and stewardship in Genesis and service in James and other scriptures as ways to become more like Him.

Prayer, fasting, meditating, stewardship and service are considered spiritual disciplines. The key word is discipline and for those of us who are practicing Christians not to discipline ourselves to get closer to God by doing these things leaves us vulnerable to doubts and false teaching. Plus we can’t teach others the things to learn unless we know them. These disciplines aren’t about us and should not be taught as ways that we can control or manipulate God.

There are other things that may happen in our lives that could bring us close to God but they shouldn’t replace the disciplines. They should supplement the disciplines. I am talking about things like suffering, God nudging us, a friend’s rebuke, hurt people we cross paths with, God’s silence and the corporate worship gatherings

I think all these things help us to better live out the greatest commandment and that is to love God with all of our heart, soul and mind and to live out the second commandment that is to love our neighbor as our self (Mathew 22:37-40).  

We should not forget that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 1:6). I believe that the more we learn about God the greater our faith becomes.

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