SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES
When a person becomes a dedicated follower of Christ, is he “suddenly” gifted with complete perfection in his lifestyle/walk with God? I wish. Does he have perfect spiritual knowledge with the proper behavior to go along with it? Not likely. Not even the early disciples/apostles could claim this (John 20:24-29) – even after the miraculous episode at Pentecost (Galatians 2:11-21). The fact of the matter is that every individual needs to develop, and keep developing, maturity in their walk with God. Striving for maturity should be a never-ending mission. Living for Christ is the process of being spiritually disciplined or, in other words, growing up in Christ (Ephesians 4:15-16). Any parent out there who wants their children to grow up immature and irresponsible?
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5:22-26).
The study of God’s word must be the main discipline by which all other spiritual disciplines derive from. How will you know how to pray unless you learn from the God of prayer? How will you learn to forgive unless you read about the one who forgives? How will you know about sacrifice unless you study about Jesus who sacrificed everything for all people? Disciples of Christ need to diligently study the word of the apostles to learn about God and to be one with Him in His purpose (John 17:20-21; cf. 2 Timothy 2:15). Basically, everything a Christian does, or doesn’t do, ought to be centered on God’s teachings. It is the word of God that teaches about the growth areas needed in our personal lives. Ultimately, the word of God determines how followers of Christ should relate to God and all people: Christians and those who are not Christian (not followers of Christ).
After accepting God by an obedient faith in Jesus, through immersion in water, an individual becomes part of God’s spiritual family. This is the idea behind the church/community of Christ (Acts 2:37-47). In this family, God becomes connected with man in a central way. Because of God’s special relationship with man, those who are in His family have a unique relationship with each other – a special bond of brotherhood. God is connected to all men who desire to be allied to Him and, in turn, each committed individual is joined to each other through the bond that only comes by Jesus Christ. It sure isn’t because they all have a wonderful personality.
But, oh my, what if, after establishing union with God’s spiritual family, one chooses to break their harmony with God, Himself? What happens to the spiritual family relationship? Unfortunately, our Christian man to man relationship will be severed. It is severed because all relationship within the spiritual family is based only on our unity with God. If relationship with God is broken, how can an ex-follower of Christ have unity with a true follower? They can’t! (1 John 1:5-10; cf. Hebrews 10). Thank God even those who reject Him decisively may repent and be forgiven. “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). Hmmm? I guess you can’t earn your salvation.
Now, what if there is lack of cohesion between two Christians who still have a relationship with God through obedient faith in Christ? Unfortunately, Christians do have squabbles amongst themselves. Is our relationship with God then broken? Well, it could be. In fact, a husband, who treats his wife improperly, may have his prayers hindered with God (1 Peter 3:7; cf. 1 Peter 3:8-12). It is a Christian’s relationship with God that is the glue which we relate to self, others, and ultimately the Godhead (Luke 14:25-35). Anyone remember the “Golden Rule”? A dedicated Christian will desire to improve their spiritual disciplines because they respect God. He will learn to study, pray, worship, work, family, devotion, etc. The word of God can truly shape lives of people. When you are in a covenant relationship with God then you become one who seeks His will in all facets of your life. This is truly what it means to be a “disciple” of Christ. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2; cf. Ephesians 4:11-16).
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another" (Galatians 5:22-26).
The study of God’s word must be the main discipline by which all other spiritual disciplines derive from. How will you know how to pray unless you learn from the God of prayer? How will you learn to forgive unless you read about the one who forgives? How will you know about sacrifice unless you study about Jesus who sacrificed everything for all people? Disciples of Christ need to diligently study the word of the apostles to learn about God and to be one with Him in His purpose (John 17:20-21; cf. 2 Timothy 2:15). Basically, everything a Christian does, or doesn’t do, ought to be centered on God’s teachings. It is the word of God that teaches about the growth areas needed in our personal lives. Ultimately, the word of God determines how followers of Christ should relate to God and all people: Christians and those who are not Christian (not followers of Christ).
After accepting God by an obedient faith in Jesus, through immersion in water, an individual becomes part of God’s spiritual family. This is the idea behind the church/community of Christ (Acts 2:37-47). In this family, God becomes connected with man in a central way. Because of God’s special relationship with man, those who are in His family have a unique relationship with each other – a special bond of brotherhood. God is connected to all men who desire to be allied to Him and, in turn, each committed individual is joined to each other through the bond that only comes by Jesus Christ. It sure isn’t because they all have a wonderful personality.
But, oh my, what if, after establishing union with God’s spiritual family, one chooses to break their harmony with God, Himself? What happens to the spiritual family relationship? Unfortunately, our Christian man to man relationship will be severed. It is severed because all relationship within the spiritual family is based only on our unity with God. If relationship with God is broken, how can an ex-follower of Christ have unity with a true follower? They can’t! (1 John 1:5-10; cf. Hebrews 10). Thank God even those who reject Him decisively may repent and be forgiven. “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). Hmmm? I guess you can’t earn your salvation.
Now, what if there is lack of cohesion between two Christians who still have a relationship with God through obedient faith in Christ? Unfortunately, Christians do have squabbles amongst themselves. Is our relationship with God then broken? Well, it could be. In fact, a husband, who treats his wife improperly, may have his prayers hindered with God (1 Peter 3:7; cf. 1 Peter 3:8-12). It is a Christian’s relationship with God that is the glue which we relate to self, others, and ultimately the Godhead (Luke 14:25-35). Anyone remember the “Golden Rule”? A dedicated Christian will desire to improve their spiritual disciplines because they respect God. He will learn to study, pray, worship, work, family, devotion, etc. The word of God can truly shape lives of people. When you are in a covenant relationship with God then you become one who seeks His will in all facets of your life. This is truly what it means to be a “disciple” of Christ. “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2; cf. Ephesians 4:11-16).
The Lord’s humbled . . . John A. Reeves
Article published on November, 2009 at The Idalou Beacon in Idalou, Texas
Published in the blog "The Lord's Humbled" in 2010
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