1 Timothy 4:7-9 - "Discipline Yourself..."

Aswe turn to this passage of Scripture in 1 Timothy chapter 4, we arereminded—especially as we enter a new year—that we have tremendousresponsibilities as believers. We are called to be a light in the world, tolive a godly life, a life that is different. We have been talking about this inEphesians chapter 4. As we close out one year and begin another, I want toencourage you, as best I can, to discipline yourself for the purpose ofgodliness. Hereis what Paul told Timothy: “But have nothing to do with worldly fables fitonly for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose ofgodliness; for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness isprofitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and alsofor the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.”(1 Timothy 4:7–9) Paulsays, in effect, This is trustworthy. This is something you need to do. And bythe grace of God, it is something you can do as you humble yourself andsurrender yourself to the will of God. This is more than just a commitment—itis a surrender. I remind you, as I have said so often, quoting Oswald Chambers,“The only right you have is the right to give up the right to yourself.” Thatis something you do daily. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily.”Yes, we die to the flesh, and we live to the Spirit. Romans 8:1 says, “Thereis therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do notwalk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” And then Paulgoes on to say, “that the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has setme free from the law of sin and death”. You and I have been set free inChrist Jesus—something we have been talking about extensively in Ephesianschapter 4. Thismatter of discipline is very important. The word discipline comes from theworld of athletics and training. It speaks of intentional, consistenteffort—not occasional inspiration. I remember when I was in high school, I wasasked to play on a summer baseball team, and I did quite well. As a result, Iwas invited to play on the high school baseball team at Princeton High Schoolin North Cincinnati. We had a really good team, and it looked like we weregoing to win a state championship. I worked my way up to being the leadoffbatter. I’lltell you, I started thinking I might play Major League Baseball. Because ofthat, I made some decisions. I determined that I was not going to eat things Ishouldn’t eat. I wasn’t going to drink alcohol, party, or put drugs into mybody. I disciplined my body for the sake of becoming the best baseball player Icould be, with the goal of playing in the major leagues. I also have a grandsonwho is training with the goal of becoming a Navy SEAL. Just the other day, Ilearned that he ran 50 miles on the beach—20 miles in the soft sand and 30miles in the hard sand. All the time, I see him training, running, and exercising.Why? So that he can fulfill his goal of becoming a SEAL one day. And I believehe is going to make it, based on his discipline. That’swhat an athlete does. That’s what a soldier does. Paul told Timothy to “be agood soldier of Jesus Christ.” (Read 2 Timothy 2:3-5).  Over the next few days, I want to encourageyou with some spiritual disciplines—things we will talk about together—that youcan practice. These are disciplines I learned as a young believer so that Icould grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ and be all that God wanted meto be. Godbless you as we prepare for a new year. We are living in a time of crisis inthis world, and God knows we must do all we can and be all we can be for Hisglory. By His grace we can make a difference in this world before Jesus comesagain. Godbless you, and may you have a wonderful, wonderful day.