Train for Godliness December 31, 2012
For centuries, Christians have cultivated theirrelationship with God through the regular practice of several simple habits,sometimes called “spiritual disciplines.” Most of us know the main ones: Biblereading, prayer, and scripture memory. These practices are called “disciplines”for the obvious reason that it takes effort and determination to do themregularly. So what motivations does the Bible offer to help us sustain thesehabits of the heart?
First, spiritual disciplines set us free. It’s aparadox, but it’s true. Only musicians who spend disciplined hours practicingscales and chords will have the freedom to fly over the notes of a song anddelight their hearers. Only athletes who condition and train will be free toexcel at crunch time. Only students who undergo the strenuous discipline oflate-night studying and missed parties are free to accept scholarship offersand job opportunities. And it’s also true spiritually. Only those who havespent time memorizing Scripture are free to recall it on the spot. Only thosefaithful in reading the scriptures are free to think God’s thoughts after Him.Only those who pray are free to know God personally.
Second, the Christian life is war. Unfortunately, mostof us don’t really believe this in our heart. We show by our priorities and ourcasual approach to spiritual things that we believe we are living in peacetimenot wartime. We are wired by nature to love the same toys that the world loves.We long to fit in. We start to think of earth as home. Before you know it, weare calling luxuries “needs,” using money just the way unbelievers do, andthinking more about fashion and entertainment than about Jesus dying or peopleperishing or heaven approaching. But when we remember that we are at war,discipline is only natural.
Third, spiritual discipline promises a better futurethan spiritual neglect. Paul writes, “Train yourself for godliness; for whilebodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as itholds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Tim4:7-8) Ask yourself what your body would look like if it reflected your levelof spiritual fitness!
My advice? Make a plan, devote it to God, ask for Hishelp, and get a partner to encourage you along the way. Let’s get spirituallyfit in 2013!