Harvesting The Abundant LifeSample

Discipline’s Bounty

For some people, the word discipline evokes a groan as they consider it either punishment or rigorous training. Saying that discipline is “for our own good” doesn’t always make us welcome it. Maybe a closer look from that angle will help us to open ourselves to discipline in a new way. 

 
The writer of Hebrew relates to us, saying, “Now, all discipline seems painful at the moment – not joyful. But later, it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). This verse entices us to embrace discipline with the promise of peace and righteousness. 

   
God knows our deepest needs and desires. He made us for life, and He knows what will deliver it. He knows that He alone satisfies our true hunger. Only the life He provides through Yeshua (Jesus) meets our actual needs. He has bestowed on us the things we crave – the fruits of the Spirit. Learning to deny the old man and lay hold of them is our life’s journey. And God helps us. 

 
When God acts in our lives to get our attention or convict us of wrongdoing, it may seem negative. However, Romans 8:1 says we are under no condemnation from God. His redirection is part of our training. As we remember that Yeshua came so that we could know full joy and abundant life, we can receive God’s discipline with gratitude for His commitment to helping us access the life we really want. 

 
All of the elements we’ve mentioned in this devotional series can be referred to as spiritual disciplines. They are indeed training. Practicing them is part of learning to walk this life by faith, saying no to the old ways of the flesh and developing the habit of living by the Spirit (Romans 6‒8).    
 

You may have heard an illustration that compares the spiritual life with driving a car uphill. If the vehicle is in “neutral”, it doesn’t merely stand still making no forward progress; it goes backward, losing ground. We must intentionally sow into the spiritual disciplines of reading God’s Word, praying through needs, worshipping, giving thanks, and walking by faith. As we do, we deepen and strengthen our relationship with God, which in turn increases our capacity to harvest the abundant life.