So yes, we need to discipline ourselves to draw ever closer to perfection in this life. Even if we never reach that ultimate goal, the striving is what is important. The striving is what draws us closer to God. Discipline means hard work. Discipline isn’t usually fun. But discipline is essential. Practice may not make perfect, but it surely helps. By keeping our eyes on the goal, and on Jesus, we are enabled to never give up pursuing perfection and what’s right.
Jesus tells a parable about building a house in Luke 6, as mentioned in Day 8. Are you building your foundation on rock or on sand? We often think about the foundation being Jesus, which He is, but in this parable, Jesus is talking about discipline and practice. The wise person is the one who doesn’t just hear the words of Jesus, but actually practices them, and disciplines themself to follow His commands. Practice is the firm foundation.
In three of the gospels, Jesus is recorded as telling his followers that whoever does God’s will is his brother and sister and mother. His family. Oh, to be a part of the family of Jesus! And we can be, by doing God’s will. Doesn’t ‘discipline’ use the same root as ‘disciple’? Following God’s will results in the best, most joyful, most successful life we can have on earth. The closer we follow God’s plan, the better our lives will be.
Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.
Mark 3:35