DISCIPLINED DISCIPLESHIP

I Was Just Thinking About - - -

Have we arrived at a place in life where the culture is allowed to dictate the values and disciplines for entire societies? Who or what is allowed to dictate the terms of behavior and action? Is there any true standard remaining where one can reference the moral, ethical and acceptable behavior that is to be common for the entire human race? When we observe a world that is being marked more and more by upheaval, distrust, and opportunism, it appears that the most assertive and ruthless is dominating a world that has been lackadaisical and indifferent to foundational values and disciplines. It is not just the societal structures that have moved in this direction but the visible Church as well. Once the boundaries are no longer preserved or abandoned the greater is the disregard of the warning signs that a slippery slope is imminent and destruction will soon occur. In the secular world, rogue and opportunistic nations are on the move to attain their goal of recognition and domination. Within the spiritual world, the negative influences and the readiness to accommodate cultural trends has been emerging.

The Psalmist observed and asked a thought-provoking question in Psalm 11:2-3, “The wicked bend their bows; they set their arrows against the strings to shoot from the shadows at the upright in heart. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?” When David asked the question, he also offered a response regarding that which will ultimately happen, Psalm 11:5-7, “The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.” Between the observation and the ultimate determination, what are the “righteous” expected to be and do? Should there be a militia formed to combat the evil advances with human weapons and strategies? Should the words of an old Hymn, Onward Christian soldiers, marching as to war; With the cross of Jesus going on before…” be interpreted as a physical and militant approach to the issues of the day? Should it not be an obedience to Ephesians 6:10-13, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.  Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand”?

Several years ago, Dr. V. Raymond Edman wrote a book, The Disciplines of Life, in which he stated: “Discipleship means ‘discipline!’ The disciple is that one who has been taught or trained by the Master, who has come with his ignorance, superstition, and sin, to find learning, truth, and forgiveness from the Savior. Without discipline we are not disciples, even though we profess His Name and pass for a follower of the lowly Nazarene. In an undisciplined age when liberty and license have replaced law and loyalty, there is greater need than ever before that we be disciplined to be His disciples… It is His sons whom God disciplines that they might bring honor to His name. He wants to teach and train them, to soften and sweeten them, to strengthen and steady them, that they may show forth the excellencies of Him who told them, ‘’Learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls’’ (Matthew 11:29). Without discipline we are not His sons; but as His own we need the exhortation, ‘’My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him; for whom the Lord loves he chastens, and scourges every son who he receives’’ (Hebrews 12:5, 6). This discipline at the moment may not seem ‘’to be joyous, but (rather) grievous: nevertheless afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby’’ (Hebrews 12:11).

Where do we find ourselves today? Are we disciplined or undisciplined? Are we bent on doing whatever we deem to be right in our own eyes or are we learning obedience to and from our Lord and Master Jesus Christ? Do we adhere to His instruction and guidance or do we stubbornly resist and do our own thing in our own way? Are we more like the straying sheep of Isaiah 53:6 or the responsive sheep of John 10:27 who listen to The Shepherd’s voice and eagerly follow Him? Consider these things with me.