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| Photo by Austin Henckel on Unsplash |
We need spiritual disciplines because they are part of the call of Jesus for us. Spiritual disciplines help us live a godly and pure life. Christians glorify God when they practice spiritual disciplines.
1. The Gospel is for disciples, not for fans.
Disciples discipline themselves. They follow the footsteps and instructions of their master/teacher/coach.
Most fans cheer and then go back home unchanged. Some fans go back home to become a disciple.
Jesus did not start a movement for fans. The Saviour started a movement for disciples. In this same movement, fans are called to become disciples. And there is no middle path to walk. Either we are disciples or we are not. Jesus said in Matthew 28:19-20, 'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' (NASB) Either we are disciples who are practicing our disciplines or we are not.
2. Disciplines for godliness and purity.
'For bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come' 1 Timothy 4:8 (NASB).
If bodily discipline is profitable then godly disciplines hold more promise: for the present life as well as 'for the life to come.' Spiritual disciplines is synonymous to godliness.
'Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God' Hebrews 12:1-2 (NASB)
The Bible talks about laying 'aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us.' This is done only by our intentional efforts. This same passage talks about running 'with endurance the race that is set before us' and fixing 'our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith'. These three metaphors tell us about actions that we must take to purify our lives.
3. Disciplines for God’s glory.
'Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.' 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB)
If we practice spiritual disciplines it glorifies God; and we must do them to glorify God. This is our goal and our motivation.
We must understand that when we talk about Spiritual Disciplines we are not talking about being legalistic or self-centered which seeks to gain some merit from God. This is not Biblical.
Spiritual disciplines are to be God-centered i.e. to show our love for the Lord.
4. A List of Some Spiritual Disciplines
1. Prayer - for God's will to be done
2. Fasting - humbling ourselves
3. Bible Reading - getting to know God's heart
4. Bible Study - getting to know God's will
5. Bible Memorization - helps in focusing our minds
6. Fellowship - learning to love and live
7. Reading Christian books - helps our thinking
8. Giving - practical way to love
9. Accountability - where hard questions about our spiritual life are asked
10. And many more
5. Some Recommended Readings
1. Habits of Grace – David Mathis (free e-book)
2. Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life – Donald Whitney
3. Disciplines of the Godly Man – R. Kent Hughes
5. Stoked – Danny Lehmann
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