Spiritual disciplines play a central role in the life of the Christian. The practice of spiritual disciplines is the place where rubber meets the road when it comes to the actual transformation of the believer as the result of faith. It is through the practice of spiritual disciplines that individuals and communities are conformed to the image of Christ that is the inheritance of all believers. This is the great promise and hope of the Gospel.
In fact, it’s debatable as to whether or not an individual can have saving faith in Jesus and yet not practice the spiritual disciplines. I’m not talking about works righteousness, as the Bible certainly teaches that we’re saved by faith through grace alone. What I am talking about, however, is a life that responds to the saving work of Jesus through obedience and discipline. I’m talking about the individual as having an active, disciplined, and cooperative role in putting to death habits of the flesh inherited in our sin nature. Certainly one believes in the truth of the Gospel because of a recognized need for change and transformation. The Gospel, among many things, responds to the personal problem of the destructive practices of selfishness and pride. The place of practicing the spiritual disciplines is where the fullness of Christ’s promises from the deliverance from the condemnation of sin come to life.
Do you find yourself frustrated that your not growing as a Christian? Do you want to go deeper in your faith and your walk with Jesus? Are you simply hungry for a life that is saturated with the presence of God? If so, then practice the spiritual disciplines!
It’s surprising, that many Christians are not familiar with the spiritual disciplines (the Roman Catholic and Eastern and Russian Orthodox traditions tend to do a better job at this than protestants). What are they? Different traditions identify different ones, but the main ones are: (1) prayer, (2) Bible study, (3) fasting, (4) taking communion (the Eucharist), (5) public worship, (6) confession, and (7) giving (time, money, etc.). Some of the lesser-known disciplines include: (1) simplicity, (2) solitude, (3) contemplative prayer, and (4) service.
You see, there are places in the Scriptures that God promises to meet us if we do certain things. For example, Jesus promises that we will find his presence, that he will meet us, when 2-3 gather to pray. He also promises to meet us in taking the a part of the Lord’s supper, and in worship (the main disciplines). Jesus has given us an open door to his presence. At any time, in any place, we can meet him if if practice the disciplines. He is accessible!
We cannot overlook, however, that the disciplines aren’t easy, even though accessible. That’s why they are called “disciplines”, because they take concentrated effort to do effectively. This is the point of the practice, mastering our desires. It’s imperative that we not only pray _when we feel like praying_ or when it’s easy to pray. It’s important that we make concentrated efforts to pray when it’s hard to pray, when we’re easily distracted. It requires concentration and a certain degree of self-denial. Again, that’s the point, it’s not about us! It means being stronger than the flesh, by the help of the Holy Spirit. It means breaking destructive and distracting habits to center and focus our lives on Jesus who is the giver of all good gifts and life.
Want to look like Jesus? Peace the disciplines.
Could you go through what these spiritual disciplines are? I’ve never heard of simplicity as one and am unsure about others. Or can you recommend a good book on this?
The Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster 🙂