When Method Meets Reality: How To Practice Spiritual Discipline
In the previous article, I summarised what I have learned over the last decade about spiritual discipline: its relationship with “godliness”, how Christianity defines “godliness” uniquely as the likeness to Jesus Christ, and various forms of spiritual discipline according to the Bible.
In continuation of this discourse, this writing will describe the three principles that can guide us in practising spiritual disciplines for Christ-likeness before pointing to us to a promise from God that sustains us to keep “[training ourselves] for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7b).
“How are we to practice spiritual discipline?”
Here is the first principle: we train ourselves for godliness through Biblical forms of spiritual discipline in order to know, love, and become more like Jesus. As has been explained in the answer to the first question of the previous article, we are to focus on this goal, not the practice of spiritual discipline itself. If we focus only on mere practices and moral godliness, we will either dwell in our failure to be disciplined due to our nature as sinners or claim our success to be disciplined outside of the Lord. We certainly do not desire these two results, and even does God! Therefore, “let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” with our eyes set on “Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Heb. 12:1–2).
I formulate the second principle according to one keyword of the verse quoted earlier, “train yourself for godliness” (1 Tim. 4:7b). Here, “train” stands for the Greek word gymnaze. Does it sound familiar? Yes, this is a root word for “gymnasium”, which may move into your living room or bedroom as you strive to stay fit while spending most of your time indoor during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul aptly analogised the process of spiritual growth and godliness in his letters with a race because it is indeed a perfect comparison: athletes train and discipline themselves in all things to pursue a “perishable wreath”, but disciples of Christ race to obtain the imperishable crown (1 Cor. 9:25). Moreover, in the arena of life where every person runs according to their chosen path, only a few would find that hard, narrow gate that leads to life (Mat. 7:14, cf. 1 Cor. 9:24), hence we are to practice spiritual discipline with discipline and intentionally day by day (1 Cor. 9:27). Practising spiritual discipline without discipline is at heart running aimlessly and punching the air (1 Cor. 9:26); we will never arrive at the goal of spiritual discipline: likeness with Christ.
Lastly, we are to practice spiritual discipline both personally and communally with fellow disciples of Christ. In the vein of Paul’s encouragement to Timothy to not only persevere in the Word of God but also to teach it to the Ephesian church (1 Tim. 4:6–7), the author of the letter to Hebrews instructed us to “stir up one another to love and good works” (10:24). How do we do that? Through meeting in fellowships and communal worships, “encouraging one another, and all the more as [we] see the Day drawing near” (Heb. 10:25). Indeed, since the second coming of Lord Jesus is imminent, let us increase our eagerness to meet and have fellowship with Him, both personally and communally with other followers of Christ.
I give thanks to the Lord for the brothers and sisters with whom I am practising spiritual discipline together. Our sharings and discussions have been enriching and putting more weight into the annual Bible reading and devotional plans that I usually do by myself. To add to the race analogy, the presence of teammates who train together surely does boost our morale and widen our understanding.
Those are the three principles that I have learned and practised for the last ten years. They sound easy on paper, but in reality, there is one more thing that we need to realise and hold on to in “[training ourselves] for godliness” so that we do not lose heart (cf. 2 Cor. 4:16).
"Not now, but 60 years in the future"
These words came out of the mouth of my mentor in the campus fellowship as we travelled back to our respective office. We had just caught up over lunch in what was our first meeting after about two years due to each of our own busyness.
We had just departed an MRT station when he said to me, half-joking, “Don’t forget to keep in touch, ya? I would not like it if when I meet you again next time, you would already have children.”
“Don’t worry, Ko [Indonesian loanword meaning “elder brother”, derived from 哥], I’ll update you when I am in a relationship,” I replied, amused.
“Ya, ya,” he said. We were silent for a few seconds before he continued, “Remember, Jeff, I will not evaluate you for who you are now, but who you will be 60 years from now, that’s the decisive one.”
Perplexed by his words, I asked him, “What do you mean, Ko?”
“Your spirituality and zeal to serve may be well now, but no one knows if your relationship with God 60 years from now would still be good or not? In the midst of a sinful world, we can only hope in the Lord that He will keep your faith secure to the end.”
At the end of his sentence, we arrived at my destination. After exchanging a farewell with my mentor, I alighted from the train, deep in the reflection of his words as I walked back to the office.
In light of what we have been discussing in the last two writings, I think my mentor summed it up very well. Training in spiritual disciplines for godliness, for Christ-likeness, sounds easy on the gadget screen. However, experience has taught me time after time that discipline and faithfulness to God are impossible to be lived out consistently by human efforts, especially in a world that has been corrupted by sin and hates the Lord whom we worship (Jn. 15:18). We will face various oppositions in practising spiritual discipline, both from within ourselves (e.g. reluctance to read the thick Bible) and from outside (e.g. the allure of Netflix during our night prayer and scoffs from friends when we choose to not hang out with them to attend a prayer meeting instead). Promises are easy to say, but whether we would hold on to those words or not until we meet Jesus face to face, it all depends on the grace of God who empowers and saves (1 Tim. 4:10).
Hence, in closing, I would like to direct you to Philippians 1:6, which gives us hope that it is not us but the Lord Himself who enables us to practise spiritual discipline and grow in the likeness of His Son:
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
In the end, pursue Christ, run after Him with fellow brothers and sisters in faith until we see Him face to face at the end of our time in this world.
Lord Jesus be with you in “[training] yourself for godliness”, soli Deo Gloria.
Questions for reflection
How have you been practising spiritual discipline? with eyes set on your own effort or on Lord Jesus (Heb. 12:2)?
How have you been practising spiritual discipline? as running aimlessly and boxing the air, or as disciplining your body and keeping it under control (1 Cor. 9:27)?
How can you start practising spiritual discipline with other believers?
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