“Everyone who competes . . goes into strict training.” 1 Corinthians 9:25 NIV
“Self-discipline is absolutely essential for success, whatever your arena of endeavor.”
My thoughts today are about “spiritual discipline.”
In today’s verse, the Apostle Paul uses athletic competition as a metaphor for the Christian life, which he often did. I think Paul might have been a sports junkie of his day. His point seems to be this: to succeed you will have to pay a personal price beyond what is comfortable or convenient for you. To be what you have not been or achieve what you have not accomplished before, you will have to devote yourself to more than you have done before.
An author of best selling books about personal and financial success was asked the single most important principle of success he had found. Out of four books, 50 years of research, and identifying 1,000 principles for success, he said, “Do what you should do, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not.” How few or us are willing to do that consistently as a lifestyle?
Education, opportunities, and talent are necessary but can take you only so far; the simple but hard work of discipline, doing what’s right and best even when you don’t feel like doing so, is what separates those who excel from those settling for mediocrity. “Do you see a man who excels in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before unknown men.” Proverbs 22:29 NKJV.
You will need “coaches, trainers, and cheerleaders” – we all seem to need those along the way – but your own desire and discipline ultimately decide your success. Self-discipline is absolutely essential for success, whatever your endeavor – in education, athletic competition, business, marriage, family, relationships, finances, and most importantly, your spiritual life and growth.
Be advised; you won’t always feel like doing “what you should do when you should do it,” but you must be diligent and unrelenting. “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening – it is painful! But afterward, there will be a quiet harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. So take a new grip with your tired hands and stand firm on your shaky legs. Mark out a straight path for your feet.” Hebrews 12:11-13 NLT. Afterward’s “harvest of right living” is the celebration; meanwhile is the hard part! Your discipline in the interim determines the extent of your reward and satisfaction later.
What is true in family life, business, financial success, and physical fitness is even truer of spiritual fitness. The Christian life is not easy, nor for the lazy or uncommitted. Jesus said, “If any man will come after Me (be my disciple), he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” Luke 9:23 NIV.
The truly spiritual life is for disciples – the disciplined! Paul wrote, “Remember that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize. You also must run in such a way that you will win. All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it to win an eternal prize. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step . . I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NLT. Historically, spiritual disciplines are the practice of such things as: Bible study, prayer, Biblical meditation, fasting, fellowship, tithing, and discipleship. How important are those in your daily and weekly practices?
My prayer for you today is that you practice spiritual discipline with clear purpose.