It may surprise us to learn that everybody lives a disciplined life. We all have set routines and practices which we follow assiduously day by day. But are these the right disciplines? Are they making us more like Jesus? Today’s excerpt from The Disciplined Life is found on pages 12 and 13:
“Like all discipline, that which we undergo to bring our bodies into submission to the Lord is hard work, ‘agonizing’ work, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27. All that thinking ahead, praying and seeking the Lord, envisioning new behaviors and activities, and then actually trying them out and practicing them continually in the everyday situations of our lives. And then doing them over and over with the right motivation and right application in each situation—that can become an exhausting undertaking.
“But the alternative to agonizing to bring our bodies through discipline into subjection to Jesus Christ is not to set discipline aside as too hard. Rather, it is to embrace disciplines which are too easy and too comfortable, and which can keep us from realizing the full and abundant life of good works for which we have been redeemed. Because everyone leads a disciplined life.
“All of us allow our lives to fall into routines and practices which are repeated day after day, and which, as they are repeated, make us the people we are. If we’re not doing those exceedingly abundant good works Jesus promised we would, it’s because the wrong disciplines have captured the members of our bodies and are directing our lives in activities and works other than those prescribed in God’s Word.
“But Paul says we must not grow weary with learning to do good works with the members of our bodies. But we will grow weary with this daily calling and sacrifice if we look upon the disciplining of our bodily members as an end in itself. Training our eyes, ears, hands, feet, tongue, and everything else to practice the good works for which we have been saved is not an end in itself. It is rather the means to a much larger, and much more glorious end—being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.”
For reflection or discussion
1. How can we know which are the right disciplines for our life in Christ?
2. Have you examined yourself to see which disciplines you’re currently using? Can you see any areas for improvement in how you use your time?
We need to make sure the disciplines we have embraced are those which will make us more like Jesus. And where there are things taking up our time that do not direct and shape us that end, they need to be replaced by disciplines that will, because this is the only way to enter more fully into the life of grace and good works for which we have been redeemed. Share today’s podcast with some friends. Encourage your friends to listen to the podcast as well. Set up a time when you can get together to discuss areas where you need to learn new disciplines. You can download a free copy of The Disciplined Life by going to The Ailbe Bookstore. Get yours, then share it with all your friends.
