When we began this series on discipleship, we did so by looking to Hebrews 12:1-2, where we learned that discipleship is all about becoming more like Jesus. That is our goal in spiritual growth. In that passage, the writer likens the process of discipleship to being in a race. In our text for today, the apostle Paul uses the same imagery as he speaks to us about the importance of discipline.
Corinth was the home of the "Ithmian Games," which was second only to the Olympic Games in significance to ancient Greeks. It is not surprising, therefore, that Paul would use athletic imagery to speak of the value of discipline in our seeking to become more like Jesus.
Paul speaks of our need to run in such a way as to "get the prize" (v. 24) What is Paul describing here? Well, he is not talking about salvation. He is not urging the lost to work hard in order to reach the goal of winning their salvation. He is not talking about striving to live in such a way as to receive heaven as a reward; rather, he is talking about striving to live in such a way as to receive a reward in heaven.
You see, one day, every Christian will give an account to God concerning the life they lived here below. Some will be rewarded, some will not. But the degree to which I will one day be rewarded will be determined by the degree to which I develop Christ-like character in my life today. So Paul tells us if we are going to develop Christ-like character for which we will one day receive reward, we must understand the value of discipline.
One cannot be a disciple without learning discipline!
". . . discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." ~ 1 Timothy 4:7b (NASB)
If I am going to develop Christ-like character in my life, there are certain disciplines, or habits I need to practice as part of my lifestyle. As the old saying goes:
Sow a thought, reap an act. Sow an act, reap a habit.
Sow a habit, reap a character. Sow a character, reap a destiny.
As we allow the Spirit to renew our minds, we will act in ways that are pleasing to God; and as we act in ways that are pleasing to God, we will develop habits that will develop Christ-like character; and as we develop Christ-like character, we will fulfill our destiny of become just like Jesus!
Discipline was the key to our Lord fulfilling the will of the Father.
". . . even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience." ~ Hebrews 5:8 (NLT)
Jesus grew up like we grow up. He learned like we learn. He was not born with Scripture in His head, for example, He had to learn it.
"And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men." ~ Luke 2:52
If we are going to be just like Jesus, we must "learn obedience" through developing disciple habits. Paul tells us about the importance of discipline in developing Christ-like character. He tells us that if we are going to develop Christ-like character, we must . . .
1. Be discriminating in what we do-v. 25
Paul says that just as an athlete gives priority to habits that will develop him as a champion, a disciple gives priority to habits that develop Christ-like character. As we study the Scriptures, we discover four habits that Jesus told His disciples to make part of their lifestyle.
A. The habit of meditation -
"If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples." ~ John 8:31 (Amplified)
"And don’t for a minute let this Book of The Revelation be out of mind. Ponder and meditate on it day and night, making sure you practice everything written in it. Then you’ll get where you’re going; then you’ll succeed."
~ Joshua 1:8 (The Message)
B. The habit of prayer -
"If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples." ~ John 15:7-8 (NASB)
C. The habit of giving -
"So then, any of you who does not forsake (renounce, surrender claim to, give up, say good-bye to) all that he has cannot be My disciple." ~ Luke 14:33 (Amplified)
"The purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives." ~ Deuteronomy 14:23 (LB)
D. The habit of fellowship -
"Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples--when they see the love you have for each other."
~ John 13:34-35 (The Message)
A disciple is one who disciplines himself to do the right things!
2. Be deliberate in what we do-v. 26
A runner who is competing in a marathon will not expend all his energy in the first portion of the race. He will pace himself, and wait until the right time to make his move, as he pushes toward the finish line. Likewise, a boxer doesn’t just throw his punches indiscriminately, he carefully studies his opponent and follows a strategy to defeat him.
(Ali vs. Foreman- "Rope-a-Dope" strategy)
Likewise, it is not enough for a disciple to involve themselves in the disciplines of study, prayer, giving, and fellowship. They need to always be learning how to do these things more effectively.
A disciple is one who disciplines himself to do the right things, the right way!
3. Be determined in what we do-v. 27
Paul understood the level of commitment that Jesus requires of those who would be a true disciple. Jesus expressed the nature of the commit He requires in graphic terms:
"Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: ‘If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.’" ~ Luke 14:25-27 (NIV)
"Now huge crowds were going along with [Jesus], and He turned and said to them, ‘If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his [own] father and mother [in the sense of indifference to or relative disregard for them in comparison with his attitude toward God] and [likewise] his wife and children and brothers and sisters--[yes] and even his own life also--he cannot be My disciple. Whoever does not persevere and carry his own cross and come after (follow) Me cannot be My disciple.’" ~ Luke 14:25-27 (Amplified)
A certain level of commitment is required if we are to separate from the crowd and be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Jesus made it clear that the nature of the commitment required of a disciple is two-fold:
A. My supreme delight must be my relationship with Jesus-v. 26
Paul says that since he was spiritually alive, he was not going to allow his flesh to determine the course of his life. Paul was going to make sure that his body was the servant, and his inner man was the master. The desires of his body were not going to rule over himself!
B. My supreme desire must be to become like Jesus-v. 27 (Luke 9:23)
Paul expresses this commitment when he declares that he was determined not to be "disqualified for the prize." What prize is he referring to? The same prize he refers to in Philippians 3:14: "I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Paul was committed to win today, the prize that awaited him in heaven one day-the prize of being just like Jesus.
We can almost hear the urgency in Paul’s voice as he declares his determination to practice the disciplined habits that constitute being a real disciple of Jesus Christ. He understood well what Jesus said just after what He told to crowd in Luke 14: "Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." ~ Luke 14:34-35 (KJV)
In Jesus’ day, the salt people used came from pillars dug out from the Dead Sea. Usually, it was salt mixed with other substances. They used it to preserve food and for fertilizer in the soil and manure. Many times they’d stack these pillars of salt outside for several months at a time. If it rained, occasionally the salt would leach out of the substance, leaving only white outer material. This stuff was useless. It was good for nothing, not even the manure pile. All you could do was throw it out.
The point Jesus made is the one Paul understood; and it is one we need to understand. A life not spent following Him is worthless. It has no purpose. It has no meaning.
Yes, it requires us to learn disciplined habits. But these habits result in our life having eternal significance and meaning, as we fulfill our destiny of becoming just like Jesus. Haddon Robinson said, "You’ll give your life for something or you’ll throw it away on nothing." What are you doing with yours?
