In the first of Paul’s pastoral epistles he warns Timothy of a coming apostasy that will creep into the church* and then he says, to Timothy:
“In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” – 1 Timothy 4:6-10
It’s instructive to me that despite the collapse of the church and/or state that Paul is prophesying, his word to us is, “keep on keeping on.” Ignore the stories (Gossip? Politics? Conspiracy theories?) and keep up your discipline. Not to earn the salvation that Jesus bought for us, but so as to be godly enough for Him to use as we fix our hope, not on an election or a human fix, but on the living God!
Paul’s mention of athletic discipline reminds us that if we don’t use it, we will lose it! So yes we should be taking care of our bodies but even more importantly we should be taking care of our souls!
Richard Foster’s Twelve Disciplines** (see below) are all drawn from Scripture, but I don’t see it as a checklist (we should feel free to add, subtract and recombine). It’s good to be reminded there are things we can do everyday that will strengthen our hearts toward God.
- Inward disciplines: meditation, prayer, fasting, and study.
- Outward disciplines: simplicity, solitude, submission, and service.
- Corporate disciplines: confession, worship, guidance, and celebration.
Something to think about!
Pastor Scott
*I believe the warnings in 1 Timothy have been a consistent plague on the Church down through the ages. God purges and the process starts again, but one of these times it will be the last time and it sure feels like that could be soon!
**I have to give Foster credit for this biblical list. However, I also have a “check in my spirit.” Galatians 3 warns us how the Galatian believers thought their sanctification was dependent on their hard work and Paul said, no, that God was the One through whom we would be made perfect. Foster’s book gives an alternative impression.
Grace Notes 