A recent television commercial features the talented boxer, Manny Pacquiao, who during the commercial summarizes his workout routine. "Every day I run 10 miles," he says. "Every day I do 2,000 sit-ups, eat 7,000 calories, and I work out like this for 8 weeks before a fight." That is discipline! It is precisely that disciplined life that has made this man &mdash who is not large &mdash an absolutely spectacular boxer.
In his book, Disciplines of a Godly Man, Kent Hughes describes the disciplined pre-game preparation of former Chicago Bears linebacker Mike Singletary. Singletary, undersized compared to most NFL linebackers, used to study game tape for hours in order to gain insight into every instinct and move of an opponent. He would sometimes watch a single play as many as 60 times in order to understand why an offensive player moved in a certain way or direction. That is discipline, and it was the key to Singletary's success on the football field.
Many high school students are incredibly disciplined in some areas of their lives as well. Some devote hours every night to their homework, with the goal of getting good grades, and getting into a top-notch college after graduation. Some practice their musical instrument morning and evening. Others (like me in high school!), have no problem sweating in the gym and working hard to become a better basketball or football player; they discipline themselves to get better, make the team, start, or be an all-conference player. I wonder how many high school students, though, are spiritually "sweating." How many 16-year-olds at College Church are committing themselves to a life of, not only physical discipline, but spiritual discipline? That is what our summer series is going to be all about: a challenge to embrace spiritual discipline which is, as the series title suggests, the key to the "rhythm" of a consistent Christian life.
Listen to one of the key passages in the Bible about spiritual discipline. Paul is writing to Timothy &mdash the young man he is mentoring and training for leadership in the church. He says:
Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather TRAIN yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come (1 Tim. 4:7-8).
Some of us who have been taught about the grace of God in Jesus can be tempted to "relax" a bit too much in our spiritual lives. We know we are saved, and perhaps we assume that growth in Christ and holiness will just happen naturally. In a way that is true; the Holy Spirit that indwells us as we place our faith in Jesus is active in conforming us more and more to the character of our Savior. But Paul speaks in the above verses of training that we must do in our Christian lives. This is active language; it is the language of discipline! And the kind of discipline Paul talks about is even more important than physical training; it holds eternal value for "the life to come."
Another reason that a life of spiritual discipline is so important is our tendency to experience vast "ups" and "downs" in our walk with Christ. Not a few high school students have experienced the "high" of going on a retreat, singing songs with friends, hearing a dynamic speaker, and wanting to come back home and share the gospel with every friend they know…only to be jerked back to reality by the pressures of school and friends, which quickly get in the way of spiritual fervor. Spiritual discipline is the key to "rhythm" in our walks with Christ &mdash it can give us consistency and free us from a total dependency on emotion as the key to evaluate how we're doing as followers of Jesus. In other words, the spiritual disciplines are like a steady diet of good, solid food. A commitment to reading God's Word, praying, having fellowship with believers, and sharing in the Lord's Supper can actually help sustain us as we seek to love, obey, and even have affections for our Lord and Savior. My prayer is that this series will move us toward that kind of consistency as we follow Jesus.
It is necessary to — at the outset of this series — make a very important distinction between discipline and legalism. Your generation (and mine!) has become very good at labeling people as "legalists." We do it to our parents when they ask us not to see an "R" rated movie ("Mom, you're so legalistic!"). We do it sometimes as we make vast generalizations about churches that take a strong stand on a moral issue ("They're just a bunch of legalists."). And, some of you may be tempted already to label me a legalist because of this series ("Jon's going to preach at us all summer about reading the Bible more, praying more, and going to church more &mdash what a legalist!"). Let's clear up our definitions a bit.
Legalism is NOT just "following a set of rules," although it does have to do with rules. Legalism is following a set of rules or guidelines in order to gain favor with God. In other words, a legalistic system makes our actions the basis of our acceptance before God. A good illustration here is an army boot camp. When an army recruit goes to boot camp, he does all the training so that he will one day be accepted as a soldier. He is trying to perform in order to gain favor with his commanding officer. This obviously works in the military, but it is different than God's plan for sinners. This is why legalism, truly defined, is violently opposed to the message of the gospel. The biblical gospel says that God is holy; nothing we can ever DO can bring us favor with God. The only solution is for God to send his only Son Jesus &mdash fully God and fully man &mdash to take the penalty for our sin by dying on a cross and clothing us in his righteousness, rising from the dead to conquer death for us forever. The gospel is ALL grace! Legalism has no place there; we can only "gain favor" with God by resting totally on Jesus — his death and resurrection for us.
Discipline is completely different than legalism. Rather than a set of rules that we follow in order to gain favor with God, discipline is a joyful response of people who have already gained favor with God through the saving grace and forgiveness of Jesus Christ. In other words, a disciplined life is not lived in order to get God's approval; it is lived out of gratitude and love for the Savior who has already secured God's approval for us on the cross. In the story, The Count of Monte Cristo, the main character Edmond Dantes saves the life of a rugged pirate named Jacopo. Overcome with gratitude, this vagabond pulls Edmond close and says: "I swear…I am your man forever!" For the remainder of his life, he serves and protects Edmond, the man who had saved his life. That is a picture of, not legalism, but discipline! It is the devoted and intense response of a person who was miraculously delivered from the sure prospect of death. Discipline is the response of Christians who say to their Savior with intensity every day: "I am yours forever!"
So, this summer, we will talk about "gospel-driven discipline." As I challenge you (and I will challenge you!) to study God's Word, spend time in prayer, confess your sins, and join actively with God's people in fellowship and worship, the message will never be that you must do these things to make God love you more. God can't love you any more &mdash he has already given you Jesus! The only motivation for true spiritual discipline is the glorious, grace-filled, gospel of Jesus Christ, who gave his life to save sinners like you and me. A disciplined spiritual life is our response to this gift.
Another way to ask the above question might be: "Where's the power?" In other words, what should be our approach to the "training for godliness" that we intend to pursue? The Apostle Paul's words are again helpful on this point. Here's what he says to the church at Philippi:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Phil. 2:12-13).
Are we to "work" at our own growth in godliness, holiness, and relationship with Christ with all the power that we can summon? YES! Is it ultimately God's power that works in us as we seek Him? YES! The call to spiritual discipline is one that we Christians must answer with all of our hearts, strength, and devotion. But it is of course not one that we can answer on our own; we are fully dependent on the power of God, which works in us and through us through the Holy Spirit.
As we seek to "Get Rhythm" this summer in our spiritual lives, let's commit to pursuing Christ with all of our strength as a response to the grace that he has poured out on us. And, let's remember that we move forward with God only with the strength that he provides.
