The early Christians were disciplined people. We don't think much of discipline in our culture today. We think it's punishment. Discipline means doing something that will help you become a different (and, hopefully, better) type of person, and it is not dispensed with when we come to Christ.
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| Today's cardio. |
Grace does not set discipline aside. Grace does not set activity aside. Grace does not set studying and memorizing paradigms and taking exams aside. "Grace is not opposed to effort; it's opposed to earning" (Dallas Willard). Greek student, do you lack study skills? Ask God. Do you need help with developing your time management skills? Ask God. Do you need help with understanding the subject matter of your textbook? Ask God. Do you need discipline? Ask God. Receive his grace in even fuller measure. But for God's sake, don't stop working. Don't be an undisciplined disciple. Both our gifts and our fruit are the result of the Spirit's presence in our lives. Let a new, grace-filled habit replace the former one. Seriously intend to follow and obey Jesus and learn the habits of discipline.
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| Onward and upward! |