DISCIPLINE = TRAINING?

Hebrews 12:7-137 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? 8 If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness.11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. 12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 "Make level paths for your feet,"so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Quite recently, the compulsory National Service (NS) training was launched for the pioneer group of 85,000 youths in Malaysia. These 18-year-olds have to undergo a 3-month stint comprising the physical, nation-building, character-building, and social service modules. Many of the NS trainees commented that they have learned to be more disciplined after the completion of the NS program.

No doubt, discipline can be born through hard work and inconveniences, and it can go a long way toward developing strong and resilient character.

I wonder if we, as followers of Jesus, see the importance of developing self-discipline as a part of our lives. The apostle Paulin 2 Timothy 1:7 said, "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." Are wedisciplined enough in doing our devotions, studying the Scriptures,praying, fasting, giving, or even being punctual for worship services?

Even so, discipline should not be turned into legalism. Discipline is not an end in itself; it's a means to an end. The whole purposeof spiritual disciplines is to experience and enjoy God more in our lives. They help us to become stronger and healthier disciples of Jesus.

The NS trainees need to undergo a period of training to go "back to basics." Jesus' disciples spent 3 years of special training with Him. As we go through our training (it may be in the form of "wilderness experiences" or difficult circumstances), we will beg into grasp the significance of the spiritual disciplines.

Hebrews 12:7-13 suggests that discipline is training. Let's allow Jesus to push us to our limits, train us, and help us live a disciplined Christian life. --Timothy Chew, Malaysia.

Written by a fellow Soul Journey reader

DESTINATION POINTS

* Do I regard myself as a disciplined person?
* How can I makespiritual disciplines a vital part of my life?

bottom line: True disciples of Jesus seek spiritual disciplines.

soul journey