Tag: Discipline

Spiritual Olympics

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HIGHLIGHT

Hebrews 12:11 (ESV): 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

EXPLAIN

Hebrews 12 is well known for using the imagery of a runner to illustrate the Christian life. The Hebrews writer urged the believers to get rid anything that might distract them from living for Jesus, especially any sinful habits or desires, and to run with perseverance the race set before them.

Our example of running in the spiritual Olympics is Jesus who endured the cross, despising its’ shame and is now seated at the Father’s right hand. We should not grow weary because the difficulty we have experienced in following Jesus has not been nearly as severe as what Christ suffered.

Our need is self-discipline. Of course, self-discipline is considered a bad word by many, but our promise is that if we discipline ourselves in living for Jesus, there will be an abundant harvest of righteousness as a result.

APPLY

The summer Olympics just ended last night. While the Olympics today unfortunately seems to be just another platform for political rancor, it is wonderful to see young men and women who have trained diligently realize the reward for their discipline.

The analogy of competing in the Olympics to the spiritual life is not perfect. Olympians train for years and then compete in events over a few weeks’ time. The Christian begins running the spiritual race once he makes the decision to follow Jesus, yet must train spiritually at the same time.

The most important point, however, is that we discipline ourselves to keep running, continue competing, in the race Jesus set before us.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, thank you for the privilege of running in the spiritual Olympics. May I please you by my disciplined endurance as I focus my eyes on Christ who went before me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Training for godliness

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HIGHLIGHT

1 Timothy 4:7–8 (ESV): 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

EXPLAIN

1 Timothy is a very personal letter from Paul to his son in the faith in which Paul encourages Timothy in his calling as a minister of the gospel and duties as a pastor.

One specific issue Paul challenged Timothy repeatedly about in this letter were some in the church who were focused on trivial issues – myths, genealogies, unbiblical rules such as forbidding marriage and abstinence, etc. – thinking that these led to spirituality.

Paul instead urged Timothy to devote himself to studying and proclaiming God’s Word. While physical exercise is good, training ourselves for godliness is much more valuable.

APPLY

A danger the believer can fall into is thinking that because they have read the Bible all the way – or even 10 times through, because they have attended Sunday School for so many years – or even taught Sunday School, because they have gone through this or that class, or went to the altar so many times… they have “arrived” spiritually.

They know it all. They’ve seen it all. If you can persuade them, they might be willing to teach what they know. Otherwise, they are not interested in learning or teaching, but only want to “experience” God.

They want to be entertained.

The secret to continuing spiritual victory and vitality is ongoing training in godliness.

RESPOND

Heavenly Father, help me to be disciplined and faithful in “godliness” training, building up my strength, stamina, and wisdom in how to be more like Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.