Tag Archives: disciplines

Training, not trying

 

When it comes to spiritual disciplines, I find a very helpful distinction – the difference between trying to do something and training to do something.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control,[b] lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 ESV

The body’s role in all of this is to serve a greater purpose – it is there to serve my will, my mind and God. The body has no other role and it definitely is not to be served, but rather needs to be a good slave.

I know there is a need to exert undistracted effort. Once-in-a-while will not cut it and I believe for me it did not happen unless I put in daily effort. That means I need to know that I am in a race. It means I know I want to be a disciple and that requires discipline, dedication, proper conditioning and persistence. It means that it will not be easy, but there is a prize.

Here is my thinking – if I am in the race (wanting to be a disciple) I should win. I should have some spiritual ambition. There has to be moments when I look back at my life and see those moments where I have grown.

Maybe I should say right now that the gospel is opposed to earning favour with God through performance, but it does challenge us to serve Jesus. Training in the disciplines will transform us over time. I think of it as a long term conditioning program. It will require patience and perseverance.

Ultimately, my back has to be turned on doing what is not right. I cannot enter this race for holiness should I have love for sin in my heart. I cannot live with two standards – to do so means I will never win the prize.

 

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Spiritual disciplines

 

A Mighty Fortress is our God

 

This portion of 2 Peter hardly seems to need me to add anything necessary. These words speak truth to who I need to be as a disciple of Jesus.

Simeon[a] Peter, a servant[b] and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ:

May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.

His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to[c] his own glory and excellence,[d] by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire. For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue,[e] and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities[f] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers,[g] be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. – 2 Peter 1:1-11 ESV

Maybe this begs a question, “Is my church producing people like this?” This probably leads to another question, “How?” I think this is where spiritual disciplines make an entrance.

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