discipline

The word disciple appears 259 times in the Bible. The word Christian is used only 3 times.

Ironically, its the word Christian that seems to have lost its meaning in our culture. There are too many people adopting it as a title, but not living it - so much so that its almost been redefined. And I'm to the point that I don't want to be a Christian, at least not in its revised definition.

I'd rather be a disciple: a disciplined follower of Jesus Christ. But this is much harder to do! It's not about the outside as much. It's about whats going on inside. And that's where the real battle lies. Thats where you see what you're really made of.

Want to test your level of discipline? Go on a fast.

Its the weirdest journey. You deny yourself all the things you think you want, for the one thing you really need. And it almost drives you crazy in the process. Okay, I'm exaggerating. But only a little.

I think a lot of modern day disciples have a hard time with fasting, because it requires discipline. And we get to really see how much we lack of it. (And we don't like it.) Many decide that fasting is too legalistic. But I'm finding thats just an excuse people use not to have discipline. When really the truth is: "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Proverbs 1:7. Ouch.

We are saved by grace through faith, not fasting. It's not about our salvation. So let's get that out of the way. Others think: we live in the post-resurrection, Jesus has torn the veil, the Holy Spirit dwells within us, and we have the printed word - so why bother fasting, whats the point?

We're getting it backwards. We're forgetting the point.

It's about denying ourselves! It's about discipline. It's the first step in truly walking as a disciple each and every day. "Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it." Luke 9:23-24.

But honestly, when in this day and age do we really deny ourselves? For the most part, we do whatever we want. When we're hungry, we go out to eat. When we're bored, we turn on the TV. When we're lonely, we call a friend, or go hang out, or get on facebook. Every emotion we have, we can suppress with some kind of action, rather than addressing it and putting it in line. We don't deny ourselves much of anything.

So, give it a try. Turn off the TV. Don't go out to eat. Don't do whatever you want right when you want to. Sometimes, deny yourself. And instead, listen for Him. Read His word. Spend time with the one who made you and loves you.

"For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." 2 Timothy 1:6-8