Saturday - December 17, 2016

Woodlawn Family Bible Study
SATURDAY

BIBLE READING:  Titus 2

 “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a  perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:25-27). 

 Paul uses a word that many people consider a dirty would: discipline. Doesn’t your face just cringe at the thought? It shouldn’t! In fact, discipline is really a great thing. It is discipline that teaches us self-control. It teaches us that we can be better, that we can be stronger, and that we can overcome even the toughest of obstacles. Not only that, but we owe it to God to discipline ourselves. 

 God gave us salvation and desires that we “renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives” (Titus 2:11-12). If he was willing to pay that ultimate price for us, should we not want to do what  we can to show Him our thanks? 

 Scott Peck once defined discipline as “willfully choosing to embrace the painful and difficult aspects of one's life...in order to more fully enjoy and successfully achieve those relationships that mean the most.” 

 Application: The relationship that we have with Jesus is the one that will last an eternity, and a little discipline would only enhance that relationship. Paul said he had to do this daily; if he needed to daily, shouldn’t we at least strive to do the same? 

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