Discipline for Godliness

Good4Joy

Study on Chapter 1 of Disciplines of a Godly Man (R. Kent Hughes)

  • As children of grace, our spiritual discipline is everything - everything! No discipline no discipleship! No sweat no sainthood! (page 15)
  • Motivation of disciplines is God-centered - I will do this thing because I love God and want to please Him; legalism is self-centered. (page 15)

Food for Thought

What is spiritual discipline?

(Q) What is spiritual discipline? Why is it so important? What usually gets in our way? What can a lack of spiritual discipline do to your life?

(Ro 3:9-18) What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin, as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.” “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

(A) Spiritual discipline is to “train yourself to be godly” (1 Tim 4:7) or “discipline of mind is excise of faith” (Pastor Manny). It is so important because,

  • We will never get anywhere in life without discipline. This is doubly so in spiritual matters. (page 13)
  • Today’s world and Church, disciplined Christian lives are the exception, not the rule. (p 15)
  • men are so much less spiritually inclined and spiritually disciplined than women (p 15)
  • totally understand, how distracted, how bad I am …; somewhat this book comforts me that I am not the only one
  • (P. Manny) world teaches follow your feeling; feeds entertainment

What usually gets in our way: none of us naturally seeks after God. None of us can claim an innate spiritual advantage (p 13). Worry about legalism (p 15).

The lack of spiritual discipline,

  • pull church down (like undertows, p 16)
  • can damn your children and grandchildren (p 16)
  • results not growing, joyless, pain, even doubt of salvation

What is “train”?

(Q) Reflect on 1 Tim 4:7, 8 (“train yourself to be godly”). What is the literal meaning of “train” here? Practically, step by step, what does this mean you should do?

(1 Tim 4:7-8) Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; or while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 

(A) The word “train” comes from the Greek word “gumnos”,

  • which means “naked” … “to exercise naked.” - the sweat of a good workout (page 14)
  • put my labor on it; plan, be patient, persistent, endure; I remember my MTB time (thought about, day and night practiced …) but unlike MTB (which is pleasure in body), the spiritual one, naturally I am drafting away; so I need more “disciplines”

What are holding you back?

(Q) What does Hebrews 12:1 say about this? What things are holding you back in your walk with God? Why are you hanging on to them?

(Heb 12:1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 

(NIV study bible) The imagery suggests an athletic contest in a great amphitheater. The witnesses are the heroes of the past who have mentioned in ch 11. They are not spectators but inspiring examples. The Greek word translated “witnesses” is the origin of the English word “martyr” and means “testifiers, witnesses.” They bear testimony to the power of faith and to God’s faithfulness. run with endurance: The Christian life is pictured as a long-distance race rather than a short sprint. (Ac 20:24, 1Co9:24-26; Gal 2:2; 5:7; Php 2:16; 2Ti 4:7)

(A) My sins are holding me back: laziness, self-lover, pride, … Why, b/c they are more pleasing to me; lack of disciplines …

What is a cost?

(Q) Is there a cost to spiritual disciples? Check out 1 Corinthians 9:25-27. What could greater discipline cost you? Are you prepared to pay the price? Why or why not?

(1 Co 9:25-27) Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

(A) Yes, they would cost my-self (whole). I am prepared to pay because I want to go to heaven. (wish my answer is b/c I love God).

No discipline no disciplesship!

(Q) “No manliness no maturity! No discipline no discipleship! No sweat no sainthood!” True or not true? How do you feel, deep inside, about this challenge?

(A) True, it’s very serious. I want my God, Savior, Lord, who died for my sins, be pleased. I don't want to pull church down, nor damn my children and grandchildren. I pray that my soul, heart, mind, everything get this seriousness.

Spiritual discipline vs legalism

(Q) How does spiritual disciple differ from legalism? Which do you most often practice? Is a change needed? If so, how can you bring this about?

(A) Difference is one of motivation: legalism is self-centered; discipline is God-centered. The legalistic heart says, “I will do this thing to gain merit with God.” The disciplined heart says, “I will do this thing because I love God and want to please Him.” (page 15)

I practice sometime (maybe often) because, thinking, God is upset. When I feel good I feel more godly; self-centered. Yes, it needs to be changed. I have to switch to God-centered; is this God be pleased. WWJD.

Applications

Application/Response

(Q) What did God speak to you about most specifically, most powerfully in this chapter? Talk to Him about it right now!

(A) Am I serious? Am I truly loving God? Or am I pursuing something else?

Holy Spirit, help me. Think inspiring examples … Paul, saints … Help me not to give-up Help me to love God. I want to go into spiritual gym pursuing holiness. I just remember training EE; what an excitement & joy! This training should be much more important … excitement & joy!

Think about it

(Q) Can we really become disciplined men of God - a spiritual Mike Singletary or Winston Churchill? Aren’t we just setting ourselves up for defat? Answer this in your own words, without using evangelical cliches.

(A) He will help me. I have been experienced His grace and I will trust Him. Anyway that is the only way, I am not worthy and low, - His grace. Like He has been helping me on EE.

References

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