The whole idea of The Disciplined Life may or may not intrigue you. Personally, it interests me and I’ve observed that disciples of a theory or a cause are constantly focused on striving for excellence in reaching their perceived goal. They become obsessed with becoming the best they can possibly be.
Athletes must lead disciplined lives to reach their true potential. Many professions require exceptionally high standards to properly practice their discipline as it is often called. Being good is not enough for many of us. We want to become the best or at least we strive to become one of the best in our chosen profession.
Well, the Christian life also requires great discipline. These days that’s what true disciples of Christ set as their goal. They sense a calling and become devoted to the cause of Christ.
In Psalm 86:1-4, King David exhorts “Hear O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy. Guard my life, for I am devoted to you. You are my God; save your servant who trusts in you. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I call to you all day long. Bring joy to your servant, for to you, O Lard, I lift up my soul.”
Can you sense King David’s dedication and devotion to his Heavenly Father?
When we are truly disciplined, we are devoted to a way of life. Our devotion becomes synonymous with the cause before us.
During the many years I’ve followed The Way, I’ve become convinced that many are called to a life focused on placing their Lord first above the needs of others and themselves.
This phenomenon cannot happen naturally just because we decide to do so. It requires a supernatural experience that changes our very being. That change happened to me personally a long time ago, and that metamorphosis continues as I walk through this life.
Do you have a desire to please your Heavenly Father? If so, consider living a disciplined life that will certainly be pleasing to Him. He doesn’t expect you to live in a monastery and give up all your worldly possessions. What He requires is for you to place Him first and others before your own needs.
In Deuteronomy 6:4-5, the Israelites are told, “Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
This is the first part of Shema, which is one of only two prayers commanded in the Torah. It’s the oldest prayer in Judaism and has been passed down from generation to generation for thousands of years. Jesus often quoted these words in diverse ways.
No matter how disciplined we may be, we all slip and occasionally give in to temptations from time to time. Fortunately for those of us who follow Christ, we know there is a way out that allows us to get back on the path that our Lord wants us to follow.
In 1 Corinthians 10:13, we’re instructed, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.”
The Apostle Paul continues in verses 14 and 15: “Therefore my dear friends flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say.”
In the Gospels, we read that Peter would deny Christ not once but three times before the rooster crows on that eventful morning as Christ was taken from the Mount of Olives to face His appointed death on the cross. Yet after His resurrection, we see Jesus eating breakfast with His disciples on the shore of the lake.
Three times He asks Simon, son of Jonah (Peter), if he truly loves Him. Peter responds in the affirmative all three times and we witness the transformation of this man into one of the most amazingly steadfast apostles in the Bible.
That’s the bottom line, folks. Do you truly love Jesus with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength? If so, then please live the disciplined life available to all who follow Christ as Savior and Lord!
Passages to Ponder
— Jim Langley has been writing for more than 30 years while working as a life and health insurance agent in Santa Barbara. In recent years, his passion has turned to writing about his personal relationship with God, and his goal is to encourage others to draw near to Him as well. As a longtime member of CBMC of Santa Barbara (Christian Business Men’s Connection), he started writing Fourth Quarter Strategies columns in 2014, and he now reaches an international audience through the CBMC International devotional Monday Manna. He can be contacted at jim@fourthquarterstrateies.com for more information. Click here for previous columns. The opinions expressed are his own.