Part II: Developing Spiritual Disciplines

     In looking at spiritual disciplines we don’t normally talk about holiness as a discipline.  It is not a spiritual discipline, but it is the fruit of the ‘spiritual discipline of presenting our bodies’ as a living sacrifice. 

     If we refuse to take up our cross and follow Jesus then we cannot be his disciples.  True discipleship means cross bearing, however we need to see what it means to take up our cross.  Is it wearing a big gold cross around our necks?  What about taking a physical wooden cross and dragging it around wherever we go?  None of these acts have anything to do with taking up our cross. 

     Paul said, “I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified” (I Corinthians 9:27).  The call to discipleship is a call to master our bodies, so that they are used to fulfill God’s purposes and bring glory to His name.  Peter in his first epistle says:

 ”Since Christ has suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose, because he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”   (I Peter 4:1-2; Emphasis Mine)

     Presenting our bodies to be the vehicle of the Spirit of God is our calling and one of the fruits of learning to grow in this abiding relationship is holiness. God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace ( 2 Timothy 1:9).     

     Holiness is one of those subjects that few in the church want to discuss out of fear of being labeled old fashion or legalistic.  However, the result of leaders not addressing this subject is a generation that lives compromised to this worldly system, powerless and sadly to say with less character than some unbelievers.  The bible goes so far to say that without holiness we can’t even relate to the Father (Hebrews 12:14).

     The ability to live a holy life does not come from the clothes that you wear, rituals you perform or even prayer.  Holiness is simply a life that is consecrated (set apart) to the Father through the free gift of grace.  To suffer in the flesh is not self-flagellation or abusing our bodies, but denying our selves the right to live for our own desires.  It is refusing to be mastered by the lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes or pride of life.

     Jesus is our pattern.  He demonstrated a life totally dedicated and consecrated as a living sacrifice.   He lived for one purpose and that was to do the will of the Father.  He lived each day not for Himself, but in submission to the will of God.  He did all of this by the Spirit’s ability working in Him and it is the only way we can accomplish a life of holiness.  We are holy to the degree that we allow the Holy Spirit’s power to work in us.  Grace is the free gift of Christ working for us, but sanctification is the free gift of the Spirit of Christ working in us.

     Let’s add the spiritual discipline of offering up our lives on a daily basis as living sacrifices along with a disciplined life of prayer.  On a daily basis we must:

• Deny our selves and identify with the cross.
• Allow the Spirit of Christ to work in us.
• Refuse to be mastered by the spirit of this age.

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