Discipline for Godliness - Spiritual Sweat!

DISCIPLINE:
Personal discipline is the indispensible key for accomplishing anything in this life. We have a crowd of models who demonstrated a disciplined life. Mike Singletary (football player), Tiger Wood (Professional Golfer), Ernest Hemingway (Nobel winner for literature), Dylan Thomas (poet), Michelangelo (painter), Leonardo da Vinci (artist), Winston Churchill (Politician), Thomas Eddison (inventer), Jascha Heifitz (violinist), and countless others, have left their mark on the parchment of time as people who achieved because they deemed it necessary to put in the disciplined effort to make their dreams a reality and possibility.
Truth is: We will never get anywhere in life without discipline, be it in the arts, business, sports, or academics. This is doubly so in spiritual matters. In some areas, we can claim some innate advantage, but none of us can claim an innate spiritual advantage, that we naturally seek God or instinctively do good (Rom 3: 9-18). Therefore, as children of grace, our spiritual discipline is an essential module, not an elective nor enrichment one.

SPIRITUAL SWEAT:
Paul, on discipline, stated in 1 Tim 4:7 that spiritual discipline took on not only transcending importance, but personal urgency. The word “train” comes from the word gumnos, which means “naked” and is the word from which we derive gymnasium (to exercise naked). In other words, it means to gymnasticise (exercise, work out, train) yourself for the purpose of godliness. He is calling for spiritual sweat!
Heb 12:1 throws out the question of what things are weighing you down? The call to discipline demands that you throw it off. The call to train ourself for godliness also suggests directing all our energy towards godliness (1 Cor 9:24-27). No manliness, no maturity! No discipline, no discipleship! No sweat, no sainthood! The old adage still stands: No pain, no gain. This, sadly, has been replaced by a much regretted adage of our latter day pain-aversive believers: No pain, no pain!

TWO REASONS FOR WHY THE DISCIPLINE:
First, in today’s world and Church, disciplined Christian lives are the exception, not the rule. Be it poor teaching or individual sloth, underlying much of the conscious rejection of spiritual discipline is the fear of legalism (Failure to differentiate between legalism and discipline). The difference is one of motivation. Legalism is self-centred; discipline is God-centred.
Second, men are so much less spiritually inclined and spiritually disciplined than women. Women appear to read more Christian literature, are more concerned about the spiritual welfare of their mates, believe that religion can answer today’s problem more than men, attend services more frequently, and are in the majority as far as going to Church with their spouses is concerned.
Why? The pervasive modern male credo of self-sufficiency and individualism does contribute. This may also be due to the male avoidance of anything relational. Men today need far more help in building spiritual discipline than women.
The Church needs real men, and we are the men. Whether or not we have disciplined ourself will make a big difference in this life and for the life to come. It builds the enduring architecture of one’s soul on the foundation of Christ - not gold, silver, and precious stones which will not survive the fires of judgment. It serve as a monument to Christ for eternity (1 Cor 3:10-15).
Spiritual discipline, rather than raise the feeling of stultifying constraints, actually liberates and frees us from the gravity of this present age and allow us to soar with the saints and the angels. Do I have the sweats in me? Will I enter the gymnasium of divine discipline? Will I strip away the things that hold me back? Will I discipline myself through the power of the Holy Spirit?

I think it was Leonard Ravenhill who said this:
"The world is looking for better methods; God is looking for a few good men!"
My answer to the questions above is (in the like of Martin Luther): I will.
"Here I stand. I can do no other. So help me God!"

The Christian Cup 2007

Highlight : The Christian Cup
Theme : Spiritual Renewal Versus Spiritual Warfare
Place : Calvary Stadium
Era : This Millennium

SCENE ONE:
Date is Mar 07. Event is the challenge trophy for “Spirituality ‘High & Low’ Cup” at Calvary Stadium. The finalist are Spiritual Renewal & Spiritual Warfare. The half time score is still goal-less. We will now hear what the respective coaches of the team has to say in the briefing room.

SPIRITUAL RENEWAL Their coach, Mr. Saint Paul said:

“While we continue to pray and fast that all of us be spiritually renewed and revived so that we will be victors over our enemy, I am fearful that some do not share the same heartbeat. I have a hymn to teach you at this moment,
Thy Church, O my Saviour, Thy Body and Bride,
The saints Thou hast ransomed for whom Thou hast died -
How cold we are growing, in service and prayer!
Our love needs rekindling, our altars repair.
O Lord, send a revival, Lord send a revival. And let it begins in me.
You see, team, unless we sincerely take some positive action to win Spritual Warfare and have a personal conviction to want Spiritual Renewal to win, it would be quite difficult to escape the destructive tactics of Spiritual Warfare.”

SPIRITUAL WARFARE Their coach, Mr. S. A. TAN said,

“You little devils are doing well in maintaining the 50% chance of winning the cup. Our crafty, deceiving tactics have helped us in stopping people from wanting Spiritual Renewal in their lives. So little devils, remember to work even harder as our opponent’s prayer coverage is intensifying.” At this moment, the powerful defender, Mr. Leave Problem, interrupted, “But we have worked so hard already, and its so close to the end. Can’t we just relaxed for a while.” Immediately, Mr. S.A. TAN slapped him and said, “The minute you slackened in your effort to create problems , they will start supporting our enemy, Spiritual Renewal, and go on their side. What’s more, with the amount of prayer that is going on, I wonder how long can we continue using this decpetion. So make sure the other 50% chance is not lost to them too!”

SCENE TWO
The referee now blows the whistle for the start of the second half of the match.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:

I agree with what Spiritual Renewal coach, Mr. Saint Paul said, that our revival begins in me. ...to be cont'd

About Me

Husband to a Wonderful Wife, Father to a Beautiful Son;
Brother and Friend to Many, Coach and Mentor to Some.
A Torch-bearer by Calling, A Fellow Pilgrim on Earth;
A Servant of the Most High, King Jesus, my LORD, I serve.
- Amos Lee

I wrote this poem to remind myself what tremendous blessings I have.
It defines my relationships and roles, my duty and devotions.
My privileges and preoccupations, my calling and citizenship.

I have a Soul-mate. She is wonderful. And she runs alongside with me as a fellow torchbearer.
I have a Successor. He will one day take over the torch, and carry on the legacy. He will run before me some day.
I have Siblings. They are the only ones I have; no more, more less.
I am thankful.

I have friends that surround me when I am down.
I have been a friend to those who are down too.
I coach and mentor some to be success, while others mentor and coach me to be significant.
I am grateful.

I know God planted me here with a message. I know the sacred flame I bear at the tip of my torch.
Yet, you know, as a pilgrim, I am like you - I am nothing without Christ.
I am watchful.

The Mark of Servanthood is my Badge of Honor, for I serve the Will of the Highest Power.
Yet deep within this redeemed soul, I carry a passport declaring me a citizen of another Kingdom.
I am joyful!

Welcome to my blog!
May you be blessed & encouraged by what is put up here.
And to my young, little dear boy Joash, this is my little gift to you. Because I love you.
Run with me, son, and together let's keep the Torch lifted!