Discipline without Direction is Drudgery
Reflective Reading: 2nd Peter 1
Elton Trueblood once said,
“We have not advanced very far in our spiritual lives if we have not encountered the basic paradox of freedom… that we are most free when we are bound. But not just any way of being bound will suffice; what matters is the character of our binding. The one who would be an athlete, but who is unwilling to discipline his body by regular exercise and abstinence, is not free to excel on the field or the track. His failure to train rigorously denies him the freedom to run with the desired speed and endurance. With one concerted voice, the giants of the devotional life apply the same principle to the whole of life: Discipline is the price of freedom.”
While Trueblood is right in calling discipline “the price” of freedom, let us not forget that freedom is “the final reward of discipline” (Elisabeth Elliot). Children who discipline themselves to practice an instrument will one day be “free” to play a difficult arrangement. Similarly, those who are “free” to quote Scripture are those who have exercised self-discipline to memorize God’s Word.
When we discipline ourselves to fast and pray, we experience spiritual sensitivity—we are free to meet the needs of others. The discipline of evangelism allows us to experience the freedom and joy that comes from sowing and reaping.
“But we must remember that the full-grown freedoms of discipline-nurtured godliness don’t develop overnight or during a weekend seminar. The Bible reminds us that self-control, such as that expressed through the spiritual disciplines, must persevere before the mature fruit of godliness ripens” (D. Whitney).
Peter describes this idea of discipline that leads to freedom in 2nd Peter 1:5-7. In fact, he starts with the word add and ends with the word love which is the highest form of happiness and joy:
“Giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue, and to virtue, knowledge, and to knowledge, self control, and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness, and to godliness, brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness, love.”
As you ponder these verses, notice that there must be diligence first—a decision to live a disciplined life. Next, there is a commitment to “add.” The word add in the original Greek carries the idea of adding at one’s own expense—it must cost you something. What is added at one’s expense in this context is what comes as a result of sacrificing worldly indulgence and empty pursuits. An Olympic athlete for example, must submit himself to rigorous training and sacrifice.
As he adds faithfulness to his daily practices, excellence occurs. In the same manner, a child of God must add to his faith virtue, which carries the idea of moral excellence refined by manly valor. This, in turn, opens the doors of knowledge, giving him insights that help him to develop self-control, perseverance, and godliness. The reward is the freedom to enjoy relationships and experience brotherly kindness and a love that never fails. If you continue to read on in 2nd Peter, you will find that those who practice these virtues will always be effective and fruitful and never fall.
As we start off this new year, may these promises of “effectiveness, fruitfulness, and never falling” be incentive enough to “give all diligence”! Don’t know where or how to start? I would recommend reading Christian biographies or Lamplighter books. Below are a list of my top favorites (this week!).
Sincerely,
Mark Hamby
M.S., M. Div., Th. M., D. Min.
Recommended Reading:
Courage of Nikolai Audio Drama (Ages 9+)
Behind the Door Audio Drama (Ages 9+)
Arthur’s Big Opportunity Book (Ages 9+)
The French Fugitive Book (Ages 12+) (This story is a game changer!)
D.L. Moody Book (biography)
Amy Carmichael: Let the Little Children Come (biography)
