Discipline is Demanded
Devotions for Growing Christians
Discipline is Demanded
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 - Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. And everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore, I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating air; but I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.
2 Timothy 2:15 - Be diligent to present yourselves approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:5 - And also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules.
It’s the new school year, and the first few days are the greatest! There's plenty to talk about with old friends. Classes are not routine or boring yet. Assignment due dates still seem far away - somewhere in the future. At first everything is exciting - but soon reality strikes! It's going to be another year of hard work, and without some discipline, you're not going to do well at all.
Some Christians have the idea that the "Christian life" should be all happiness, health and wealth - like a summer vacation filled with surf, sun, and sleep. No way! The point of the verses above is that discipline is also demanded in our lives as Christians. The life of a growing Christian is more like the life of a good student or a good athlete - disciplined!
Think of the discipline demanded in the life of an athlete. Preparation doesn't begin when the game or meet begins. There’s a long and hard, disciplined, training period. Check out football practice some afternoon. You won't believe the grunts and groans you'll hear! Watch the golf teams spending hours perfecting their drives and putts. And track teams running - and running and running!
The Greek games were the source of Paul's analogy in 1 Corinthians 9. These games included foot races, wrestling, boxing, wrestling, and other sports. Verse 24 means that all Christians should run as winners run. That is - we must be disciplined in training and in competing, just like every winning athlete. In the Greek games there was the discipline of "self control in all things" (v25): a strict diet, strenuous exercise, chastity, curfew, etc. Every aspect of the athlete's life was disciplined.
The application of all this to growing Christians is obvious. We must exercise self-control in every aspect of our lives, including fun and wholesome activities. It's easy to become so busy doing good things that we have no time left to meet with other Christians for fellowship and prayer. We must practice self-denial in things like excess sleep time, TV time, and internet time to make room for prayer time.
Verse 27 doesn't mean that you should beat up your body, but it can mean that you should set your alarm for 5:30 AM for time alone with the Lord. Students must regulate their study time to include time for study of the Word. We’re commanded to be diligent about this (2 Timothy 2:15). If we are just reading "a verse for the day," then we are disobeying the Lord's command. "Accurate handling of the word of truth" demands discipline. "Approval by God" is a lot different than the approval of fellow students our our contemporary culture. So let's get organized and begin to study a book of the Bible. Use a course or a helpful book to get started. We must purpose to make every action count, or we’ll be like blindfolded runners or shadow boxers. What a waste of time and energy!
2 Timothy 2:5 reminds us that there is no winner’s wreath or crown for person who breaks the rules of training - or the rules of the race. Discipline must be maintained all the way through. Can a runner who is behind in the last lap cut across the infield to catch up? No way! There’s no short-cut to spiritual maturity either. For Christian growth, there must be disciplined training, and “running the race” by the rules that God has included in His Word.
Although the disciplined life is tough, we’re assured of reward that will last forever (v25). If the runners in the Greek games disciplined their lives for a mere fading wreath or crown of dead leaves, how much more should we discipline our lives when eternal values are at stake!
Remember: No discipline, no reward!
- Dave Reid