November 11, 2020
Self-Discipline
My beloved child, you must first discipline yourself before you can lead others. What is the primary character trait you look for in a leader you can follow? In business and personally, we look for in others is Integrity – truthful, honest, reliable, upright, and authentic. (2 Corinthians 8:21, Proverbs 21:3) We look for someone whose life exemplifies Jesus’ character so we can emulate them. It requires a made-up mind and self-discipline to be holy as Christ Jesus is holy. (1 Peter 1:15-16)
We have cheerleaders in Heaven cheering us on! Do you see what this means? All these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans are cheering you! It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, whom both began and finished this race. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now He’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourself weak in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long list of hostility He plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (Hebrews 12:1-3)
In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you and me, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So, don’t feel sorry for yourself. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children and that God regards you as His children? My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline but don’t be crushed by it either. It’s the child He loves that He disciplines; the child He embraces, He also corrects. God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as a dear child. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, a child’s typical experience. Only irresponsible parents leave a child to fend for themself. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? (Hebrews 12:4-7)
You respect your parents for training and not spoiling you, so why not embrace God’s training so you can truly live? While you were a child, your parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for you, training you to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God. (Hebrews 12:8-11)
So, don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! (Hebrews 12:12-13) Self-discipline is painful, but the rewards are sweet. Run with patient endurance to the end. At least five people are watching your example at all times. Do your actions, attitude, walk, and talk line up with God’s Word. People want to follow someone they can trust, and their life models Jesus! Do you live a life worth following?
