discipline | Daily Encouragement

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” (1 Corinthians 9: 24-27, NIV)

Excellence, discipline, and humility.

We extol these three qualities in any athlete. Likewise, these three qualities together are essential for faithful discipleship.

Are we living our lives — every hour of every day — “in such a way as to get the prize,” which is life in all of its fullness and length? Are we engaged in the private, hidden, work of “training”– in the words of Paul to his protege Timothy — “to study to show yourself approved unto God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth”?

Paul’s words remind us to aspire to excellence in all that we do. He reminds us to adopt the discipline of “strict training” so that we will be prepared for any of the so-called surprises of life, and that we will be fit to finish the course. He reminds us to be humble, lest we ourselves are disqualified as the price of our pride.

Excellence + Discipline + Humility = Faithful discipleship. – Luther

Tagged discipleship, discipline, excellence, humility, the book of 1 Corinthians

November 17

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“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (James 1:26, NIV)

For today and tomorrow, two thoughts about religion’s value.

The first thought is from verse 26 of James’ letter: A religion that is incapable of affecting something as common as our verbal interactions is worthless.

This is not to say that the religion, per se, is worthless. It says that to us, the religion we are professing is worthless, because it has failed to affect our behavior in the most simple and ordinary way.

As disciples of Jesus, if we take seriously our profession of faith, then that faith must affect our lives in not only extraordinary ways, but in ordinary ways as well; not just on the mountaintop or in the valley (for these are temporary extremes in human experience), but on the boring, level plain, as well. – Luther