The Nature of Discipline

The Nature of Discipline

“I beat my body and make it a slave to that … I myself will not be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:27

We don’t really like the word discipline, do we? There are two concepts of discipline in the Christian life: the loving discipline we receive from the Lord that brings correction and a return to living life HIS way, and then there is the area of discipline – the training our minds and bodies to live life HIS way.

I recently read this quote: The world is full of naturally brilliant people who never rise above mediocrity because they will not make the sacrifice which superiority requires. Without discipline we are not disciples, even though we profess His name and pass for a follower of the lowly Nazarene. In an undisciplined age when liberty and licenses have replaced law and loyalty, there is greater need than ever before that we be disciplined to be His disciples.

In his book, The Man Who Makes a Difference –10 Keys to a Life of Impact (Harvest House), Dr. Jim George shares 10 principles about the nature of discipline:

1. Discipline is a spiritual issue – EVERYTHING doe to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31)
2. Discipline has no shortcuts – no quick results.
3. Discipline has no reserve – self-control must be reinstituted tomorrow.
4. Discipline begins with little things – like picking up your dirty socks!
5. Discipline tackles the difficult thing – easy requires little.
6. Discipline starts with the mind – “I will.”
7. Discipline proceeds with a mandate – “I must.”
8. Discipline never gets distracted – “This one thing I do.”
9. Discipline never takes a vacation – it’s for life!
10. Discipline is ever-changing – growth requires new disciplines to meet life’s next and latest challenges.

At 57 I find that there are areas that still need work – discipline! Wow! I know the areas I MUST work on. How about you? – Bill Welte is President and CEO of America’s Keswick

GPS – God’s Positioning System: Isaiah 64-66; Psalm 18:25-50; Proverbs 20

Compass Pointers: Paint Jesus Christ upon your canvas, and then hold Him up to the people; but hold Him up so that not even your little finger can be seen. Edward Payson

Navigation Rules to Memorize: Level 1:Proverbs 29:25; Level 2: Proverbs 29:22-27

Anchored to the Rock: You can more than pray, after you have prayed, but you can never do more than pray until you have prayed. A. J. Gordon