The Spirit of the Disciplines

1. The Secret of the Easy Yoke: Spiritual Disciplines Transform Us

The disciplines are a matter of taking appropriate measures.

Disciplines enable transformation. Spiritual disciplines are activities we undertake to bring our whole selves into cooperation with Christ and his Kingdom. They are not about earning merit or punishment, but about training ourselves to receive more of God's life and power. Just as athletes train their bodies for peak performance, disciples train their spirits for Christlikeness.

Practical application is key. These disciplines include practices like solitude, silence, fasting, study, worship, celebration, service, and submission. By engaging in these activities regularly, we create space for God to work in our lives, transforming our character and enabling us to live more fully in his Kingdom. The goal is not just knowledge, but a changed life that reflects Christ's character and power.

The yoke becomes easy. As we practice these disciplines, what once seemed difficult in following Christ becomes natural and effortless. We find ourselves able to love our enemies, pray without ceasing, and live in peace even in challenging circumstances. The "easy yoke" Jesus promised becomes our reality as our lives are increasingly aligned with his.

2. Salvation is a New Life, Not Just Forgiveness

Salvation as conceived today is far removed from what it was in the beginnings of Christianity and only by correcting it can God's grace in salvation be returned to the concrete, embodied existence of our human personalities walking with Jesus in his easy yoke.

Redefining salvation. Salvation is not merely forgiveness of sins, but a whole new way of life. It involves a transformation of our entire being - mind, body, and spirit - into the likeness of Christ. This new life is characterized by power over sin, a transformed character, and the ability to participate in God's Kingdom work.

Embodied spirituality. True salvation affects our everyday, embodied existence. It's not just about what we believe, but how we live. This includes our relationships, our work, our habits, and our interactions with the world around us. Salvation should be visible in the way we conduct ourselves in every aspect of life.

Growing in grace. Salvation is a process of growth, not a one-time event. As we continually submit ourselves to God's work in our lives, we experience increasing freedom from sin, greater intimacy with God, and more effective service in his Kingdom. This growth is facilitated by the spiritual disciplines and our active cooperation with God's grace.

3. The Body's Essential Role in Spiritual Growth

The human body is the focal point of human existence. Jesus had one. We have one. Without the body in its proper place, the pieces of the puzzle of new life in Christ do not realistically fit together, and the idea of really following him and becoming like him remains a practical impossibility.

Body and spirit interconnected. Our bodies are not obstacles to spiritual growth, but essential components of it. God created us as embodied beings, and our spiritual lives are inextricably linked to our physical existence. Ignoring or denigrating the body leads to an incomplete understanding of spirituality and hinders our growth in Christ.

Disciplining the body. Spiritual growth involves training our bodies to cooperate with God's purposes. This includes practices like fasting, which teaches us to control our physical appetites, and service, which trains our bodies to act in love towards others. As we discipline our bodies, we create new habits and patterns that align with God's Kingdom.

Incarnational faith. Jesus himself took on a human body, demonstrating the value and importance of physical existence. Our goal is not to escape our bodies, but to allow Christ's life to be fully expressed through them. This incarnational approach to faith leads to a holistic transformation that affects every aspect of our lives.

4. Understanding the Nature of Life and Spiritual Life

Life is always and everywhere an inner power to relate to other things in certain specific ways. The living thing has an inherent power that contacts what is beyond it, drawing from this "beyond" to enhance and extend its own being and influence.

Life as relational power. At its core, life is about the ability to interact with and draw sustenance from our environment. This is true for physical life, and even more so for spiritual life. Spiritual life involves our capacity to relate to and draw strength from God, extending our influence in the world as a result.

Spiritual life transcends natural limits. While natural life is limited by physical constraints, spiritual life allows us to tap into the infinite resources of God. This enables us to live beyond our natural capabilities, manifesting love, joy, peace, and power that surpass human understanding.

Characteristics of spiritual life:

• Ability to relate to God
• Capacity to draw strength from divine resources
• Power to influence the world for good
• Transcendence of natural limitations

Growth through relationship. Just as physical life grows through interaction with its environment, spiritual life grows through deepening relationship with God. This growth is facilitated by spiritual disciplines, which create space for us to interact with God and draw more deeply from his life.

5. Disciplines of Abstinence and Engagement: Tools for Transformation

The disciplines of abstinence must be counterbalanced and supplemented by disciplines of engagement. Abstinence and engagement are the outbreathing and inbreathing of our spiritual lives, and we require disciplines for both movements.

Balanced spiritual practice. Spiritual growth requires both disciplines of abstinence (such as solitude, silence, and fasting) and disciplines of engagement (like study, worship, and service). These two types of disciplines work together to shape our character and align our lives with God's purposes.

Disciplines of abstinence:

• Solitude: Creating space to be alone with God
• Silence: Quieting our minds to hear God's voice
• Fasting: Denying physical appetites to focus on spiritual needs
• Frugality: Limiting consumption to cultivate contentment
• Chastity: Controlling sexual impulses for purity
• Secrecy: Avoiding self-promotion to cultivate humility
• Sacrifice: Giving up good things to prioritize better things

Disciplines of engagement:

• Study: Engaging our minds with God's truth
• Worship: Expressing adoration and love for God
• Celebration: Enjoying God's goodness and blessings
• Service: Using our gifts to benefit others
• Prayer: Communicating with God
• Fellowship: Connecting with other believers
• Confession: Acknowledging our sins and receiving forgiveness
• Submission: Yielding our will to God and others

Transformation through practice. As we engage in these disciplines, we create habits and patterns that shape our character. Over time, what was once difficult becomes natural, and we find ourselves increasingly conformed to the image of Christ.

6. Poverty is Not Inherently Spiritual: Stewardship is Key

To abandon the goods of this world to the enemies of God is to fail the responsibilities we are given at creation to have dominion, to rule over all life forms above the plants.

Redefining wealth and poverty. Neither poverty nor wealth is inherently spiritual or unspiritual. What matters is how we steward the resources God has entrusted to us. The goal is not to eliminate all possessions, but to use them wisely for God's purposes.

Responsible stewardship. God calls us to exercise dominion over the earth, which includes managing its resources. This requires wisdom, integrity, and a Kingdom perspective. We are called to use our possessions, whether many or few, to advance God's purposes and bless others.

Freedom from materialism. The key is to hold our possessions lightly, recognizing that everything belongs to God. We should be willing to give generously, live simply, and use our resources to further God's Kingdom. This approach allows us to enjoy God's blessings without being enslaved by them.

7. Transforming the World Through Discipleship and Leadership

The responsibility for the condition of the world in years or centuries to come rests upon the leaders and teachers of the Christian church. They alone have at their disposal the means to bring the world effectively under the rule of God.

Discipleship as world-changing strategy. The key to transforming the world is not political power or social reform, but discipleship. By developing mature followers of Christ who embody his character and power, we create a force for change that can permeate every level of society.

Leadership's crucial role. Christian leaders have a unique responsibility to equip believers for this world-changing mission. This involves:

• Teaching the full scope of Christ's commands
• Modeling discipleship through personal example
• Creating environments for spiritual growth and practice
• Developing leaders who can influence various sectors of society

Vision for global transformation. As disciples mature and take their place in every sphere of society - business, education, government, arts, etc. - they become agents of God's Kingdom. This gradual infiltration of Christ-like influence has the potential to reshape cultures and transform the world from the inside out.

Last updated: November 6, 2024