1 Corinthians 9:25
“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.”
Augustine said, ‘O poor soul, how you abase yourself when you love earthly things. You are better than them! Only God is above you and you were made to love him only!” (Voices from the Past, v. 2, p. 253). Even today, the nominal Christian shows his love for God in his display of obedience to Christ. For example, the practice of spiritual disciplines is essentially the spiritual walk of a true Christian. Either a Christain will practice them, or not! Very sadly, most Christians do not and understandably so; the disciplines are not taught in most churches. Is there any other reason why we should wonder why the state of the Church in attendance and understanding of the Bible is at an all-time low? Stephen Hugh Matthews wrote a doctoral dissertation for Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in 2005, that was titled, A Spiritual Disciplines-Based Discipleship Curriculum for the Local Church. Matthew states that “the practice of spiritual disciplines is in the decline in [many] local Baptist churches” (p. iv). I know personally, for a fact, that I was not taught the importance of having spiritual disciplines, how to practice, or which spiritual disciplines I really need to have in my life in order to be effective for Christ. I was totally lost and inept in my walk as I tried to please and serve my Lord. Satan’s attack was brutal; trying to mortify the passions of my own sinful nature seemed impossible. I became a castaway and disqualified for service to my Lord Jesus Christ. However, this has now instilled in me a passion to live a life of repentance in dependence on God, a walk of faith as I truly abide in Him, and a denying of myself so I may practice spiritual disciplines that glorify and honor my Lord God and Savior. Today, my disciplines may not be perfect in true devotion to God, or at least as much as humanly possible, but I am now living a life of joy that is ‘inexpressible and full of glory!’ I desire and need to warn young men, and teach them how to practice these exceedingly urgent disciplines so they may never face the tragedies and disasters of this evil world as I have. Of course, I have regrets. I wished I was immune to the effects of sin. I wished I was able to tear down strongholds that can so easily show their ugly head and decimate a life. Nevertheless, I still, for some reason unknown to me, survived the worse fates deemed possible for mankind, according to my understanding. Thankfully, my God is sovereign and in control. God has a purpose and a plan for my life. In spite of all, I must, as said by Jude, the brother of Christ in Jude 1:22-23, “and have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.”
Therefore, to begin this series is to begin your journey in the Christian faith, which is, being justified by faith alone. In other words, being “born again”. John 3:5-6 says, “Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit”. The portal for this faith journey is exactly that, “by grace through faith.” True Christians intuitively know deep down in their heart that they have nothing to boast about in their salvation; for salvation is all of God, from start to finish. This is all for the glory to God; or, how Christians in the reformed faith say, ‘soli Deo gloria.’
The next aspect of the Christian life is following Christ by walking or growing in faith. This is called sanctification and there are two different kinds: definitive or positional sanctification; and progressive sanctification. Definitive or positional sanctification is God’s work when setting us apart as holy unto Him when were justified by faith in the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ for our sins. Progressive sanctification is our progressive growth in holiness as we become more like Jesus. This is due to our walk of faith in Christ Jesus, as the Holy Spirit teaches and changes us as we read and meditate on God’s Holy Word. Habakkuk 2:4 says, “the righteous shall live by faith.” The context of this verse was God’s response to Habakkuk’s complaint to God when he said, ‘God, are you going to allow all these injustices?’ God told Habakkuk not to worry, He is in control and all he has to do is to live by faith. Then and even now, that sounds radical. With all the injustice, tragedies, trials, temptations, tribulations, and persecutions that we must face as we live in these evil days, God’s answer to us is to live by faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “And without faith, it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.”
The remaining portion of this study is twofold: (1.) an expositional study of the Book of Jude which teaches us how to live above reproach in spite of false teachers and persecution by keeping ourselves in the love of God, and (2.) an opportunity to practice spiritual disciplines following an experiential lab model with time to reflect and adapt and stay accountable to other men of faith. The sole purpose is to make spiritual disciplines personal, applicable, and effective for each member of the class. Our task is to stay in the love of God by walking in faith in obedience to His commands. Throughout the gospels and New Testament, Jesus taught us how we are to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, by (1.) prayer and fasting, (2.) Bible reading and study, (3.) journaling, meditation, and solitude with God alone, (4.) worship, ministry, and stewardship, and (5.) fellowship and accountability with spiritual brothers in Christ.
- Prayer and Fasting
- Bible Reading; Bible Study; and reading Christian books (Puritans, theology, sermons)
- Journaling; Meditation and Solitude with God alone
- Worship, Reading Hymns for worship and meditation, Ministry, and Stewardship
- Fellowship and Accountability with spiritual brothers in Christ
These five spiritual disciplines are essential and fundamental for a true believer in Jesus Christ. Especially for men! We practice these disciplines to be obedient to our Lord Jesus Christ. We do these so we may abide in Christ in order to grow in holiness and in our walk of faith. These disciplines train us to ward off the enemy’s attack and to mortify our own personal infatuation with sin, which is more than being crippled, but being destroyed (take my words, I know experientially what I am talking about). Without these disciplines, we are helpless. But with Christ, who is our strength, our fortress, our hope, and our joy, our walk of faith will overcome the world.Jude 1:24-25 says in a doxology to Christ, “Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.”