Before I came on staff as an Associate Pastor to Students and Families at a local church in South Carolina, I served our country as a United States Marine Corps Officer. The Marines are well-known for their discipline and structure. Marines are required to maintain a high level of physical and mental toughness. Discipline was drilled into our minds since the first day of either boot camp or Officer Candidate School.
The other day I was on vacation with my family, and stepped on a scale for the first time in a few months. I was shocked at what the scale said. Just for clarification, the scale never lies. I had gained weight. I couldn't believe how much I had gained since the last time I stepped on a scale. I thought to myself, "What have I done? How did I gain so much weight?" The answer, lack of discipline. I had lost my discipline to eat right and exercise regularly. I had lost my discipline to maintain a healthy life. I did not maintain the discipline of a healthy lifestyle, and the pounds slowly began to grow.
This illustration may be equivalent to lack of spiritual discipline in the life of a true follower of Jesus Christ. You may ask yourself, "What do you mean by that Pastor J?" Let me explain. True followers of Jesus Christ must grow in their relationship with the Savior by means of spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, tithing, fellowship with other believers, accountability partners, regular worship, family devotionals, and sharing the gospel are vital to the spiritual health of a believer. Jesus said, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my Word" (John 14:23). As followers of Jesus Christ, we have submitted ourselves to his Lordship. We love the King that has saved our souls, and through our love for God we are called to be obedient to his commands. How do you know what he commands of his followers? You spend adequate time studying the Scriptures, praying, and submitting to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
What happens when we don't maintain spiritual disciplines in our daily life? I think many things could happen, but one in particular will be noticed. Sin will begin to infiltrate back into your life. When we look at our own lives through the lens of our culture, Christians don't look that bad. You begin to take on a self-righteous attitude about your own lifestyle. Without spiritual disciplines, you could potentially become complacent in your devotion to follow Jesus Christ and honor him through your daily activities. Spiritual disciplines grow our relationship with Jesus Christ. We begin to see what our King expects from us, and we begin to see how far away we are from those expectations. However, we repent, ask forgiveness, and thank God for Jesus Christ's sacrifice on our behalf. If we lack in spiritual discipline, we have the potential to become critical, self-righteous, and tolerant to our own sinful desires.
When we do maintain a spiritual life of discipline, the Holy Spirit begins to work in each follower of Jesus Christ. I believe our spiritual life of discipline will develop the fruit of the Spirit which Paul defines as, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22). Christians, we must maintain a life of spiritual discipline. When you read the Word of God, the Word of God will be like a the scale revealing where you have fallen short of the glory of God. The Word of God never lies! Brothers and sisters in Christ, may we all live a life of discipline and grow in our relationship with King Jesus our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord.
The other day I was on vacation with my family, and stepped on a scale for the first time in a few months. I was shocked at what the scale said. Just for clarification, the scale never lies. I had gained weight. I couldn't believe how much I had gained since the last time I stepped on a scale. I thought to myself, "What have I done? How did I gain so much weight?" The answer, lack of discipline. I had lost my discipline to eat right and exercise regularly. I had lost my discipline to maintain a healthy life. I did not maintain the discipline of a healthy lifestyle, and the pounds slowly began to grow.
This illustration may be equivalent to lack of spiritual discipline in the life of a true follower of Jesus Christ. You may ask yourself, "What do you mean by that Pastor J?" Let me explain. True followers of Jesus Christ must grow in their relationship with the Savior by means of spiritual disciplines. Spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible reading, tithing, fellowship with other believers, accountability partners, regular worship, family devotionals, and sharing the gospel are vital to the spiritual health of a believer. Jesus said, "If anyone loves me, he will keep my Word" (John 14:23). As followers of Jesus Christ, we have submitted ourselves to his Lordship. We love the King that has saved our souls, and through our love for God we are called to be obedient to his commands. How do you know what he commands of his followers? You spend adequate time studying the Scriptures, praying, and submitting to the direction of the Holy Spirit.
What happens when we don't maintain spiritual disciplines in our daily life? I think many things could happen, but one in particular will be noticed. Sin will begin to infiltrate back into your life. When we look at our own lives through the lens of our culture, Christians don't look that bad. You begin to take on a self-righteous attitude about your own lifestyle. Without spiritual disciplines, you could potentially become complacent in your devotion to follow Jesus Christ and honor him through your daily activities. Spiritual disciplines grow our relationship with Jesus Christ. We begin to see what our King expects from us, and we begin to see how far away we are from those expectations. However, we repent, ask forgiveness, and thank God for Jesus Christ's sacrifice on our behalf. If we lack in spiritual discipline, we have the potential to become critical, self-righteous, and tolerant to our own sinful desires.
When we do maintain a spiritual life of discipline, the Holy Spirit begins to work in each follower of Jesus Christ. I believe our spiritual life of discipline will develop the fruit of the Spirit which Paul defines as, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22). Christians, we must maintain a life of spiritual discipline. When you read the Word of God, the Word of God will be like a the scale revealing where you have fallen short of the glory of God. The Word of God never lies! Brothers and sisters in Christ, may we all live a life of discipline and grow in our relationship with King Jesus our Savior, Redeemer, and Lord.
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