Discipline, A Path to Learning

Fine wine, great cheese, and a tasty artisan bread have one thing in common, one needs a strong discipline to not test them before they are ready !

So, why do we as Christians, try to live without discipline in our lives? If there is no discipline to wait for the learning process to run its full course, certainly we will fail the taste test!

Hosea 7:8 (New American Standard Bible)
"Ephraim mixes himself with the nations; Ephraim has become a cake not turned.

Hear is picture of someone who lacked discipline to not get mixed up with the things of the world. He became in essence spiritually half-baked. Or in a good country way of speaking, a pancake that is half cooked. Now that would be some nasty stuff to eat.

Here is a good quote on why Ephraim was a picture of God's people.

"Although they took advantage of the Lord's goodness, they did not seek Him with their heart. When they needed help, they turned to other sources (vv.10-11,14-16). They had become tasteless and useless to God, so He was forced to judge them."

What does personal discipline have to do with this? Everything! If we do not discipline ourselves to wait upon the Lord for guidance, then we will always be "not ready". If we are going to run a race we should prepare for it. So, why do we not prepare ourselves for life through disciple?

1 Corinthians 9:26-27 (The Message)
"I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself."

Paul understood discipline in ways that many folks will never understand. But, he knew the outcome of discipline. It helps us to finish the race wilth all that we have and finish it in a great way because we discipline ourselves to be ready.

"Hold fast to discipline, don't let it go; guard it. for it is your life" Proverbs 4:13 Complete Jewish Bible