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Think On These Things...
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GOD'S GRACE WORKING THROUGH DISCIPLINE
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It is the desire of the writer's heart for this to be an encouragement to the reader, taken from personal life experiences of God's grace and provision throughout many handicaps and hardships during the years of ministry.
For over forty years as a servant of God one fact always surfaced, when God calls you to serve him, He always provides the way and means for you to accomplish his task. He does not remove the hardship and frustrations that lay on the pathway of the daily walk of life, but He always supplies the strength to overcome these handicaps.
Life is one continuous walk demanding a daily exercise of our faith. To be well pleasing to ones self, people must discipline themselves in faith and obedience to God's plan according to His word.
There are no short cuts in the spiritual realm. It is a sad commentary to observe those who have been members of a local church for many years who show little or no growth in the area of spiritual enrichment. They manifest those who are saved, sitting and satisfied in their state of infancy having no desire to experience the revelation of God's richest blessings through the study and discipline of His word.
Discipline is the key word for spiritual development. It relates to training that develops selfcontrol, orderliness and efficiency based upon ones submission to the authority of God's word. The word, discipline, can be traced back to the early followers of Jesus Christ known as disciples (John 1:3551).
In the New Testament the anointed offices of Christ are Prophet, Priest, and King, dating back to the Old Testament. When men of God were called for special service they were initiated into these three offices by an act of anointing. These offices find its fulfillment in Christ. As Prophet, Jesus declared the complete revelation of the Father. As Priest, He offered the ultimate sacrifice, the sacrifice of Himself. As King, He is in ultimate control now and will also reign a thousand years in His own kingdom (Rev. 20:16).
Because He is Prophet, Priest and King, believers should heed what He says as a Prophet in the Scripture, come to Him in prayer as a Priest, and serve Him as their King. This is discipline that brings blessings upon believers. People must discipline themselves in this matter of following Christ.
There must first be the desire and decision to follow Christ, after this comes the hard part, the self-discipline required in developing and maturing faith. Discipline in Bible study is the door that opens God's blessings and fulfillment in the Christian life.
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