I am involved in a Lenten study on prayer. Having the discipline of a daily time of prayer and conversation with God is essential to our Christian Walk.
But there are other spiritual disciplines, that we must embrace if we are to be true disciples of Christ.
One of these is: study scripture & guidance
A disciple is one who subscribes to the teaching of a Master and assists in spreading them. But not only that, but who seeks to relive Jesus life in the world. Discipline for the Christian is to train ourselves to allow the Spirit to train us to “be like Jesus”. How does the Spirit “train us”? By leading us to study Jesus and His ministry, to read and study the scriptures and by listening to his guidance. Romans 12: 1-2 basically says
“do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, which is good and acceptable and is perfect.”
Another Spiritual Discipline is: confession
The primary need for confession is simple: that we might experience forgiveness We need to confess every time we come before God either in prayer or in worship. We need to confess because as fallible human beings. we continue to Sin. Christ died on the Cross for our sins, past, present and future but we must acknowledge those sins and his loving forgiveness .
A fourth spiritual discipline is submission
Ephesians 5:21 says “be subject to one another out of reverence to Christ.” Christ is the perfect example of submission none more than the Last Supper when he washed his disciples feet. He then said, ” you say that I am Master and Lord and you are right but now I bow to wash your feet. You are to do as I have done for you.”
Another Spiritual Discipline is solitude
The obvious is that Solitude is being alone. It doesn’t mean living a monastic life. It means that we are to ponder who we are , what life is all about, where we are in our quest for meaning. It can take the form of prayer, silence, listening for God. We must focus on what is being said and its meaning for us.
The final Spiritual Discipline is generosity
Jesus is very hard on us as far a possessions. Are we willing to give it all to Him? What does that really mean. It doesn’t mean that we have to give all of our property away. It means that we first need to give to God and then give to others.
And giving is not just money, it is our time and talent to better this world. When people finally get the concept they will say to me “pastor, it seems now the more I give the more I get!” Gods wonderful plan.
I encourage you to go deeper into each of these spiritual disciplines so that your walk with Christ is as strong as it can be. I bless your journey.
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