The discipline of a Christian

The discipline of a Christian

Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Christian discipline is very important, as well as very necessary for the pilgrims progress. Without the discipline, we may live a kind of counterfeit life in professing religion and still miss heaven. The discipline of the flesh, as well as motive, and desires are of no bargain for heavenly citizens.

Joseph was a man who received the grace of God in his life, and was able to keep that experience with discipline. He denied the gratification of the flesh, disciplined himself, insomuch that despite the pestering of his mistress, he would not allow that to make him fall, but controlled himself.

Daniel too disciplined his appetite, and didn’t allow the delicacies of the king’s table to make him become a glutton. Apostle Paul also was a man of discipline, athough he had seen the revelation of Christ, where he was caught up to the third heaven, yet he knew he could still miss heaven if he didn’t discipline himself. That was why he said, “I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a cast away.”

Even Mary, disciplined herself. She kept herself in sanctification and honour, and was highly favoured of the LORD to conceive of a child by the Holy Ghost, and deliver our Saviour, Lord, and Redeemer, Jesus Christ the Son of God. By discipline, these worthies of old were able to achieve that which they were called to do.

The LORD is also calling us to a life of Christian discipline. You see, many people profess to be Christians, and even claim some religious title deeds, yet they cannot discipline their tongue. They talk too much! Just like Samson, divulge all the grace of God in them. There’s no restrain to their speeches, because they are not crucified.

Some can’t get a grip on themselves when they see a lady who is attractive. They’ll simply lose their reins, forgetting the word of God that says “Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.” . Many cannot discipline their flesh. When the body is desiring something that is warring against their soul, they cannot bring it under control. They grant the desires of the flesh, and in that, sin against God, because they have not crucified the flesh.

Others are intoxicated by the unpleasant circumstances facing them, they cannot be temperate in all things, because they are not crucified. Some are very sensitive. Once a ‘thorn’ is thrown at them, their flesh is stirred up. Immediately, there’s resentment and irritability, you’ll hear things like, “what do you mean? Am I the one you are talking to like that?” That’s the flesh (self life) they are not crucified.

Some harbour inordinate affection toward a particular person, thing, or food. For instance, it could be a person, such that when they see that they’ll be trying so hard to impress that person. Or it may be an obsession with food, they’ll eat until they become too heavy to move.

If we want to be real soldiers of the cross, and militant armies of the gospel, we should come before the LORD, and let the LORD break down our hearts, and let the hammer of the LORD, by the Spirit of God strike deep into our hearts, so that we don’t get led by flesh anymore, everything is brought under the mastery of the Lordship of Christ.

Nevertheless, if you think we should continue like this, in these days of the traditions of philosophers, superstition of the gentiles, idolatry of the heathen, and the religion of men, we cannot do anything significant. That’s why the LORD is calling us to a convocation of sobriety and seriousness, so that these real attributes and distinct characters of real Christians will be manifested in our lives.

I believe we will return to the cross, and the LORD will do unto us that which he has promised and make us competent defenders of the faith.

Also Read: Christian Lifestyle: Why Believers Should Live For Jesus