Raymond Edmon, in The Disciplines of Life, says that “Ours is an undisciplined age. The old disciplines are breaking down . . . We need the rugged strength of Christian character that can come only from discipline.” I believe he is right. Discipline in every area of our lives is the only way we will ever be able to reach our potential as Christians.
We must first understand what it is that God wants us to become. The apostle Paul said of God’s elect in Romans 8:29, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son.” Thus, the goal of every Christian is to grow in Christlikeness. That requires a commitment to a life of discipline. We will be finally and totally changed “when He (Christ) appears” so that “we shall be like Him” (1 John 3:2).
If we are predestined to grow in Christlikeness, where does discipline fit into the picture? Although God will grant Christlikeness to us when Jesus returns, He intends for us to begin that growth in the here and now. It is God’s will that we pursue godliness. This is clearly taught in 1 Timothy 4:7: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.” Spiritual disciplines are the personal and corporate attitudes and activities that promote spiritual growth.
What are these spiritual disciplines? They begin with Bible study, prayer, worship, evangelism, service in Christ’s name, stewardship, fasting, silence and solitude, learning, etc. This, by no means, however, is an exhaustive list of the disciplines involved in spiritual growth and Christian living. A survey of other literature on this subject would reveal that confession, accountability, simplicity, submission, spiritual direction, celebration, affirmation, sacrifice and other things also qualify as spiritual disciplines.
Whatever the discipline, its most important feature is its purpose. Just as there is little value in practicing the scales on a piano apart from the purpose of playing music, there is little value in practicing any spiritual discipline apart from the single purpose of seeking to grow in Christlikeness. Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Timothy 4:7 that all Christians are to discipline themselves “for the purpose of godliness.”
God uses three primary catalysts for developing Christlikeness within our lives, but only one of these is largely under our control:
- “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17). I am grateful to God for those who have aided me throughout my Christian pilgrimage – parents, teachers, friends, etc. I would be far less than I am without their influence and instruction. Think of all those who have made spiritual investments in your life. Thank God for them.
- There is the classic text in Romans 8:28 – “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Financial pressures, physical conditions, and many other things are used by a provident God to help us to grow in Christlikeness.
- SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES. When God changes us by using people and circumstances, the process works from the outside in. Spiritual disciplines differ from the other two methods of change in that God grants us a measure of choice regarding involvement with them. We often have little choice regarding the people and circumstances God brings into our lives, but we can decide, for example, whether we will read the Bible and spend time in prayer each day.
Think of the spiritual disciplines as ways you can place yourself in the path of God’s grace, and as a way of becoming a channel of God’s grace to others.
The Paper Pulpit 
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