Discipline...who needs it?

I am thankful for the difficult times of life. Now, I don't always enjoy them but as I reflect upon some recent challenges, I realize that those things are intended to help me keep my focus on the One who is my strength and they have come to pass and not stay.

I am thankful for the winter season because it causes me to enjoy the spring weather and not take it for granted. Every season of life is beneficial but not always enjoyable.

Thus the topic for this writing. Discipline...who needs it? Now there are at least two ways of looking at discipline. Most likely, the first thing we think of is the discipline we receive when we have done something wrong and need to be corrected. Hebrews 12 :7-ff speaks to the discipline of God. This is the instruction we receive from the Lord as he teaches us through that instruction. (There is a lot more to say about the discipline of God. I will write about that at a later time.)

Another use of the word discipline is used by Paul in 1 Corinthians 9: 25-ff. Here the word is used to denote the physical restraint we place upon ourselves. It literally means to beat ourselves black and blue. Not that God intends for us to mutilate ourselves but it does mean that we are to restrain ourselves so that we do not become disqualified in serving the Lord. This could happen if we do not discipline ourselves and keep ourselves from drifting towards what comes natural.

The natural man craves what the flesh wants. That is comfort, peace, no expectations, no responsibilities, no work, eat drink and be happy. Apart from the Spirit of God we would all be doing these things to one degree or another. We would always take the easy road. The person who is filled with the Spirit of God, those who follow Christ, are different. We realize that this life is more than about us and that our lives are to lived out in the power and strength of the Lord. I believe this is why Paul used such harsh language when referring to the form of discipline he was involved in.

It takes great intentionality to live a disciplined life. Paul talks about how the athlete goes into "strict training" to be able to compete in the games. We see this example in the sports that we watch or the ones that we are involved in. Every competitor must discipline his life so as to train to participate in the sport. If they do not train and discipline themselves they will fail at and during the competition.

Paul tells Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:8 "For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." To be disciplined in the things of God will have eternal benefits. This does not mean I should let my body go and not care for it. Remember that "physical training is of some value".

As we live our lives here on planet earth may it be lived for the glory of God and that we live a life of discipline not only physically but more importantly spiritually.