Well here are some notes and points that I had for the last chapter - the Discipline of Grace.
Point:
- Hughes starts this last chapter with the start, reminding us that we ought to be "disciplining ourselves for the purpose of godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7, NASB)..."
Quote:
"Just as ancient athletes discarded everything and competed gumnos (naked), so must the disciplined Christian man divest himself of every association, habit, and tendency which impedes godliness."
Challenge:
What does God consider godliness? And what does He consider consider "associations, habits, and tendencies"?
Quote:
"Christianity, godliness, is far more than a checklist. Being “in Christ” is a relationship, and like all relationships it deserves disciplined maintenance, but never legalistic reductionism."
Note:
Remember "discipline" and "disciple" are related. And to be a disciple of someone means to take on their thoughts and ways; to mimic the one you are a disciple of.
Also, we've discussed this before: To be a disciple, you have to be available; and to disciple someone else, you need to be available.
How often have we heard, "I wanna get real with God! I wanna do His will! I wanna serve him and be surrounded by godly men!" And then "POOF", they're gone, busy, the next big thing has happened to them and their drawn away. I think that hurts when you poor yourself into a guy for fellowship and then he just vanishes. But me aside, how must our Lord feel since it may happen to me a handful of times in my life time, but for Him, oh my, how many men have claimed, "help Lord" and "I love you Lord", only to turn their back on Him? Isn't that the epitome of long suffering?
Quote:
'“How are we to go about it? Tell us how to discipline ourselves for godliness without being legalistic.”'
Note:
How can you tell if something is legalistic? Anything that someone tries to mandated, which is outside the bounds of Scripture is legalism.
CHALLENGE:
Go ahead and put this to the test; nothing but nothing that Jesus Christ commands us is legalism; keeping the commandments for merit is, because the Scripture is clear that we don't get merit for doing things; God desires obedience over sacrifice. But when you love His commandments, His testimonies, His precepts, then it's impossible to be legalistic because you're keeping them out of love, not obligation.
Quote:
"Salvation is by grace alone, and living the Christian life is by grace alone also."
Note:
God didn't save us to put us under a bushel or on a shelf. Neither did he save us and expect us to make it to heaven on our own. He had every intention to lead us and provide for us - to sustain us! (Colossians 1:17ff.)
Quote:
"As we tackle the disciplines of a godly man, we must remember it is a matter of grace from beginning to end."
Note:
We can never grow in grace by our own efforts.
Book recommendations (By Chuck Smith):
- "Why Grace Changes Everything",
- "Living Water: The Power of the Holy Spirit".
GET TO KNOW THE PERSON OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
Quote:
"It is God’s grace that energizes us to live out the disciplines of a godly man."
CHALLENGE: Think about these things.
- Are you experiencing His grace?
- Are you feeling numb, lethargic, complacent about souls being swallowed by the clutches of hell?
- Perhaps it could be a direct result of forgetting what the grace of God does in your life.
- Could it be that we're stimulating ourselves with material things and missing out on His wonderful grace?
- And what does grace look like?
- It was sufficient for Paul's strength and comfort in the midst of his thorn in the flesh. 2 Corinthians 12:6-10.