Jesus and His Word - Disciples Are Disciplined

The devil is a master at overwhelming people with the cares of life and tempting them with the deceitfulness of riches and other things. He works hard to keep them busy and worn out. Remember that “BUSY” is an acronym for “being under satan's yoke.” He can control busy and worn out people very easily. His ultimate goal is to kill, steal, and destroy. Among other things, satan kills their effectiveness, steals their joy, and takes away their peace. Unfortunately, he has been able to do this with a lot of people who profess to being a believer in Christ.

How do believers overcome the attacks of the devil? There are many biblical solutions to this problem. Today, we will address discipline and self control, which are vital to being a victorious follower of Christ. The word disciple itself is associated with being disciplined. Biblical disciples are disciplined followers of Jesus Christ. One of their main attributes is self control; the Bible teaches that self control is a fruit of those who are filled with and led by the Holy Spirit.

Disciples of Jesus are to live in this world as representatives of Jesus without being of the world. They are citizens of God's Kingdom and, as such, are witnesses in lifestyle, as well as in word, of Jesus Christ, Who is living His life in and through each of His true disciples. To live in this world as a witness of Jesus and not be of it requires one to have discipline and self control.

One of God's main laws is order, and one of the devil's main objectives is to bring disorder, which results in chaos. When a believer does not live a disciplined and self-controlled life, he or she can unwittingly become a tool of the devil, rather than a witness for Jesus. Jesus Christ always had a plan, and He never left things to happenstance. He never procrastinated or put things off. He lived to do the will of His Father. The will of the Father includes restoring order on the earth. One who lives a disordered life is not helping to bring order to things around them.

God is looking for disciples who will fulfill His will on earth. To do this, it will require separating from the things of the world, as well as manmade church doctrines and religious traditions and activities, to be set apart to Jesus and, in turn, to be a witness to the world. One will still be in the world but not of it. The Holy Spirit joyfully waits for those who will say, "Teach me how to do this because I want to allow the life of Jesus to live in me. My mind wants peace, my heart desires order." When a person is ready to yield their life once and for all to the Holy Spirit, victory is beginning, and the tide will turn. Jesus is our victory; He is the Prince of Peace. He will give peace to our hearts and minds and will bring order through discipline and self control.

He will tell us what to put aside, even though it may be something we enjoy, and He will tell us what He would have us to do that is His will. He will teach us to lay aside the weights of the world and the weights of performing man's religion that have so easily beset us. We can't carry what He wants us to carry while carrying other things at the same time. Jesus said in Matthew 11: 28-30: “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” If we are called to put aside something we enjoy, it is because He has something so much greater that will bring glory to Him and will cause us one day to hear Him say to us, "Well done!"

God knows that it will take time to bring order to our lives. He is patient, very patient. He desires that we make the decision and begin letting His Spirit lead us. He will train us when we are submitted to His will. It is a distance run and not a sprint, so it won’t happen over night. But let's start the race and begin making changes as the Spirit leads. When we start to change, we may see where others need to change, especially those we are close to. We may even feel like we can't change unless they do. That is not true; that is the devil trying to come back in another door. You let the Spirit lovingly move you, and you lovingly be patient with others. Everything, including discipline and self control, is based on love. Love is the greatest thing! Love will never fail! Love will always bring victory!

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BIBLICAL APPLICATION:

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

Pastor Wayne Wilson

New Covenant Church of Jesus Christ

3147 Klondike Road, SW, Conyers, GA 30094 USA

770-760-1101

E-mail: info@JesusandHisWord.org

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