Discipline within Discipleship

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer,
The Holy One of Israel:
“I am the LORD your God, Who teaches you to profit. Who leads you by the way you should go. Oh, that you had heeded My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river,
And your righteousness like the waves of the sea.” (Isaiah 48:17-18 NKJV)

When I gave my heart to the Lord, there were certain things that immediately changed in me. I no longer thought that it was alright to swear or take the Lord’s name in vain.  Other changes were slower. The decision to forgive others when they have hurt me, because I have been forgiven and shown mercy. But more importantly because I understand that unforgiveness is a disease that will destroy my body. That wasn’t something I learned instantly but over time.

Jesus told his disciples, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10). Abide means to remain, not depart, or to be held or kept continually.  If we try to look at abiding from our perspective,  then we are working to stay connected with the Father. However, the Lord has always been offering to hold us close to Him. Our part becomes a willingness to surrender to trust that His commandments are about protecting us in this world. In Jeremiah, chapter 23, verse 24 it states, ” ‘Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill
heaven and earth?” says the LORD.’ He sees things that we cannot because He exists without constraints.

About a year ago, I felt the Holy Spirit asking me to put aside a particular type of book I enjoyed reading. The books were easy, light reading, and the author’s style was downright funny. However, all the content wasn’t always appropriate. I had two choices when I heard the leading of the Lord. I could rationalize why I should keep reading books by this author, or I could follow the instructions of the Lord. Discipline is about ensuring that our spirit is controlling our flesh and not the other way around.

Paul spoke of this battle in his letter to the church at Galatia, “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (Galatians 5:16-18).

The wonderful thing about our Father is, that when we fail at disciplining ourselves or fail to trust that surrendering to Him opens the way for Him to work all things for our good, He offers us another chance. Because truth be told, I have missed it more times than I can count. I have held onto things I should have laid at His feet and carried burdens that were not mine. No Jesus carried it all to the cross and made a way that I could live in freedom and victory. Thankful for the mercy He gives me, as I draw closer to Him, I will listen for His leading and instruction. Disciplining myself to surrender to His will. He never takes more than He gives. His way is always better.