Discipleship Considered 5 (Cont.)

Discipleship Considered

Dear friends, thanks for your consideration during the time I have been away from my desk, but now it is time for us to return to considering something of the subject of 'discipleship'.

A Matter of Discipline

We come to discipline next. The word has many negative connotations, but we are not concerned with that side of the subject. We are looking at that part of the training of a disciple of the Lord that is expected to produce a particular pattern of behaviour, expecially that which is expected to produce moral or mental improvement (that is one of the dictionary definitions of the word). Our interest is in self-discipline that will improve our ability to serve the Master.

Discipline of the Body

We begin with discipline of the body. While this area of discipline in not the most important, it is not unimportant. Keeping our physical frame in the best condition we can seems to be common sense. It is our first and most obvious resource and we will accomplish more for the Lord if we are not limited by physical problems. This does not mean that those who are disabled are disqualified from serving the Lord. It just means that for them also, they must do what they can to use what strength they have to fulfil His will in their lives.

But please note - all we are considering are general rules. Do not embark on a course of action that will bring about any level of distress. If there is any doubt, please seek medical advice first.

The Bible says, "Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For your were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19,20). Among other things, this means we should eat right, exercise right and rest right.

Eat Right

We should eat right. In this area of the physical the largest issue, certainly in western culture, is what and how we eat. It seems to me that food has a part to play in this area of discipline of the body. The diets of some of those who have been used of God are described in the Bible; Elijah's and John the Baptist, for instance.

On the principle expressed by practical James, if you cannot love your neighbour whom you can see, how can you love God whom you cannot see? By that, I mean that if you cannot exercise discipline in the physical realm (that which is visible), it is very unlikely that you will be one of God's wrestlers in the spiritual realm (that which cannot be seen). If a disciple of Christ does not eat correctly, then it is unlikely that he/she is exercising right discipline in the secret place. In one sense, our eating habits could be considered a visible barometer of the state of our commitment. That some of those who were delivered from Egypt longed for the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic that they had left behind indicated their lack of commitment to the Exodus and the purposes of God. Certainly the Scriptures expect our dining habits to be to the glory of God.

But we will not make more of it than we should. Remember, God always meets us where we are, not where we should be - you don't have to wait until you look good before you can serve the Master - get started, whatever your weight or appearance. Nevertheless, from now on, eat as if you were in table fellowship with the Saviour. The plaque 'Christ is the Head of this house' has the line that indicates He is the unseen guest at every meal.

Next time - 'Exercise right'