Discipline Yourself for the
Purpose of Godliness
Dr. Annamma Abraham
(1 Timothy 4:7 )
Let us consider what Paul says in 1
Corinthians 9: 24 - 27
24-Those who run in a race , all run , but only one
receives the prize. Run in such a way that you may win .
25-And everyone who competes in the game exercise self
control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we
an imperishable .
26-Therefore I run in such a way as not without aim; I
box in such a way as not beating the air ,
27-but I buffet my body and make it a slave, lest
possibly ,after I have preached to others , I myself should be disqualified .
We all want to become winners. Apostle Paul is seen here working hard for
Christ . In our spiritual
life, to become winners we have to follow certain disciplines.
1 - Submit ourselves to Christ , fully depend on Him ,
fix our eyes on Him . But when difficulties come , we may loose our focus on
Him and then we become a failure .
2- When we follow the ways of Christ , we become
successful in our spiritual life . Many Christians take up their own ways and
try hard . But full submission and obedience to Christ are very essential for
the success of the spiritual life. When we are spiritually successful we may
not get applause from people. But we get the peace and happiness for each race
we run after Christ.
In a believers life perfect discipline, correction and training are very
essential . Let us consider what the letter to Hebrews says
Hebrews 12 : 5-12
5 - "My son , do not regard lightly the discipline
of the Lord , nor faint when you are reproved by Him.
6 - For those whom the Lord loves, He disciplines .And He
scourges every son whom He receives "
7 - It is for discipline that you endure ; God deals with
you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline .
8 - But if you are without discipline of which all have
become partakers, then you are illegitimate children and not sons .
9 - Furthermore we had earthly fathers to discipline us ,
and we respected them ; shall we not much rather be subject to the Father of
spirits and live ?
10 - For they disciplined us for a short time as seemed
best to them , but He disciplines us for our good , that we may share His
holiness .
11 - All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful
, but sorrowful ; yet to those who have been trained by it , afterwards
it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness .
12 - Therefore strengthen the hands that are weak and the
knees that are feeble
13 - and make straight paths for your feet , so that the
limb which is lame may not be put out of joints , but rather be healed .
Trials and tribulations in a believers life are very essential for a
disciplined life .Look at the life of our forefathers Abraham ,Jacob , Joseph ,
many prophets and apostles had many tribulations in their life, which
disciplined them for the purpose of godliness.
Look at the life of Israel ,an eleven day journey became a
forty year agony . Numbers is a book of discipline . It becomes necessary for
the nation to go through the painful process of testing and maturation . God
must teach His people the consequences of irresponsible decisions . The forty
years of wilderness experience transforms them from a rabble of ex-slaves into
a nation ready to take the promised land .
Let us see how God disciplined
Miriam sister of Moses and
Aaron Miriam chosen by God called prophetess. she leads in victory
song (Exodus
15 :20-21 ) . Miriam and
Aaron spoke against Moses (Read
Numbers 12: 1 -14 ) The man Moses was very humble more
than all men who were on the face of the earth . The anger of the Lord was
aroused against them and He departed . Miriam became leprous . Moses intercedes
. So Moses cried out to the Lord saying "Please heal her , O God , I pray
". Then Miram is restored .God disciplined her for her rebellious nature .
Let us consider the case of Paul ,how God disciplined Paul
2 Corinthians 12 : 7-10
7 - And because of the surpassing greatness of the
revelations, for this reason,to keep me from exalting myself,there was given me
a thorn in the flesh ,a messenger of Satan to buffet me-to keep me from
exalting myself ! 8 - Concerning this I entreated the Lord three times
that it might depart from me .
9 - And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient
for you, for power is perfected in weakness ". Most gladly , therefore, I
will rather boast about my weakness,that the power of Christ may dwell in me .
10 - Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with
insults , with distresses ,with persecutions, with difficulties , for Christ's
sake; for when I am weak , then I am strong .
Parents should bring up the
children in spiritual discipline .
Let us see what the bible says.
Discipline is needed to produce understanding.
Proverbs 10 : 13 -On the lips of the discerning , wisdom
is found , but a rod is for the back of him who lacks understanding .
Proverbs 22 : 6- Train up a child in the way he should go , even when he is old he will not
depart from it .
Proverbs 13 : 24- He who spares his rod hates
his son .But he who loves him disciplines him diligently .
Discipline is needed to deliver the child
from Sheol .
Proverbs 23 :13-14
13 - Do not hold back discipline from the child ,
although you beat him with the rod , he will not die .
14 - You shall beat him with the rod and deliver his soul
from Sheol .
Proverbs 19 : 18 - Discipline your son while there is
hope ,and do not desire his death .
To train up the children in the christian way we have to
follow certain things .
1 - Dedication - The training up of the
children starts from dedication. Children belong to God. Parents are their care
takers.
2- Instruction - Children should be taught and
instructed to live in obedience to God .
3 -Motivation - Teach the children to wait
upon the Lord and do things as God wants .
Now we will see how the discipline is to be carried out in
children .
1 - Without anger- Discipline should be carried out
without creating any anger .
Ephesians 6: 4- Fathers do not provoke your
children to anger , but bring them up in the discipline and instuction of the
Lord .
2 - In love
Proverbs 3 : 11-12
11- My son , do not reject the discipline of the Lord or
loathe His reproof ,
12-For whom the Lord loves He reproves , even as the
father , the son in whom he delights
Revelation 3 : 9 -Those whom I love , I reprove and
discipline. Be zealous therefore and repent .
Let us consider the discipline of the church .
1 - Church members should be believers , living on the
basis of faith .
Titus 1 : 13 -14
13- Reprove them severely that they may be sound in faith
.
14 - not paying attention to Jewish myths and
commandments of men who turn away from truth .
2- Correct the disorderly.
2 Thessalonians 3: 6 Now we command you brethren , in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ , that you keep aloof from every brother who leads
an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us .
How these things can be put into practice.
1 - In gentleness
Galatians 6 : 1 Brethren if a man is caught in
any trespass ,you who are spiritual , restore such a one in a spirit of
gentleness ,each one looking to yourself , lest you too be tempted .
2 - In love .
2 Corinthians 2 : 6- 8 .
6 - Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which
was inflicted by the majority,
7 - so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and
comfort him ,lest somehow such a one be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow .
8 - Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him .
Coming to the end
. Discipline yourself for the purpose of Godliness.
1 Timothy 4: 7
. Run in such a way as as to receive an imperishable wreath
1 Corinthians 9 :25
.Buffet the body and discipline yourself , so that after
having preached to others, you yourself should not be disqualified .
1 Corinthians 9:27
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