Christian discipline is organized by the Holy Spirit to make you do the things your body, soul and spirit will not ordinarily do. Discipline is essential for the continuous growth of every Christian.
“Pablo Casals was considered the greatest cellist (Someone who plays a violoncello) to ever live. When he was 95 years old he was asked why he continued to practice 6 hours a day. He answered, “Because I think I am making progress.”
Thus, Christian discipline enhances continuity on the lane of perfection to heaven.
Today’s message will broaden your understanding on the concept of Christian discipline and how to attain the acceptable margin.
What is Christian Discipline?
Christian discipline sounds restrictive, but it is a godly training for acquiring strength and victory. It is the act of total submission to the instructions of the LORD. Christian discipline involves obeying the directives of the Holy Spirit without argument or personal opinions.
The aim of Christian discipline is to tame your body, soul and spirit in the way of godliness. First Timothy chapter 4 verses 7 and 8 say: “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things…”
The spiritual system for Christian to be disciplined is not readily acceptable to the human thinking. But, self-control is the key attribute needed for a successful Christian.
For instance, a lot of people get bored after prayers of 20 minutes. But, if you make yourself available for discipline, there are some times you won’t stop praying until the Spirit of the Lord ask you to stop, though your knees might suffer pains, but you have to endure like a soldier standing on the parade ground….
Christian discipline means pruning your life for fruitfulness. Jesus says, “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.” (John 15:1-2)
Who is the Tutor for Christian Discipline?
The tutor for Christian discipline is God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. “Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.” (John 14:23)
The only successful way for you to survive this sinful world is to give yourself to consistent discipline in the Lord.
Don’t be scared of God’s discipline and don’t refer to it as a harsh punishment! Rather, it is an expression of love to save your life from eternal condemnation.
Hear God speaks in Revelation chapter 3 verse 19: “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.”
The Lord becomes your Father when you give your life to Him. Thus, a good child must always yield to the training of the father.
“You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you. Therefore you shall keep the commandments of the LORD your God, to walk in His ways and to fear Him.” (Deuteronomy 8:5-6)
How to Become a Disciplined Christian!
1. Readiness to give everything about your Life to the Lord
“Then Jesus said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” (Luke 9:23)
2. Avoid Distractions
Be focused on godliness. The Blood of Jesus washes away all your sins, but your focus on Him to live a godly life sustains His salvation in your life. Your thoughts, speech and actions must always fall in line with His instructions.
3. Create Time for Fellowship
There are many activities you encounter every day, and if care is not taken you might have no time for spiritual exercises. I am sure Jesus went through similar experience and that was the reason for His regular night fellowship with His Father on the mountain. (Matthew 14:23)
Christian discipline gives strength and mark of holiness. So, it is mandatory for you to allocate time for prayers, Bible studies, inspirational songs and meditation in the presence of the Lord every day.
“And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord…” (Ephesians 5:18-19)
4. Charge yourself always
Your heart must not be passive for a second. Christian discipline involves filling your heart always with the word of God.
I share this to you as a testimony; the gadgets that keep me away from mess include my mp3 audio Bible. I listen to it in the car or anywhere I go to. My computer has music files that can play for the next 24 hours…
So, my ear is trained to listen to the word of God always and my heart is adapted to the obedience of His word. That is the secret of any discipline Christian! Your heart must be updated always with godly information, and not with the latest deal of worldliness.
5. Obedience to Instructions
The success of the army in battle is always credited to their obedience and disciplined actions.
Similarly, the success of every disciplined Christian is solely dependent on obedience to the instructions given by the LORD. Thus, a genuine Christian is not a lawless person!
6 Benefits of Christian Discipline
1. Hearing God’s Voice
If you find it difficult to hear God’s voice, then give yourself to godly discipline.
“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.”
2. It gives you Strength and Power
Devil cannot defeat you. And, you will be free from the bondage of carnal nature.
3. You will always enjoy the presence of God
4. Free from sin
Many people in the church commit disobedience to the commandments of Jesus, because they refuse Christian discipline.
Only disciplined Christians are children of God. “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.” (1John 3:9)
5. Secured Salvation
Christian discipline is for those that are active and not for those who love Jesus Christ, but dislike His commandments.
Jesus says: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” (John 14:21)
So, the disciplined Christian who strive everyday will enjoy secured salvation.
“Then one said to Him, “Lord, are there few who are saved?” And He said to them, strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able…” (Luke 13:23-27)
6. You cannot suffer deceit
“He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.” (Proverbs 10:17)
Only the disciplined Christian can succeed in the Christian race on earth. So, make yourself available for God’s discipline every day and your spiritual growth will receive strength. Note: The Blood of Jesus does not support indiscipline!
