One man sees the disciplined life as tough and rigorous. Inwardly, he wants to avoid that lifestyle, perceiving discipline as a negative act toward himself. To him it's deprivation. His flesh loves the world in so many ways, for so many reasons, nearly all the time. It's a struggle that has no off-switch. It's a battle that seems to see no victor. Perhaps that last statement appears awkward. Why, didn't the God-man free him? Isn't he free indeed? Why wouldn't this man be free? Why is discipline so hard. Why is depriving himself of what God hates so difficult? Is his flesh dead? Or, is his flesh being fed?
Another man sees the disciplined life in a completely different light. For him, discipline is the Way of freedom. It's Christ's way. To obey God's law is not a burden, a suffocation caused by a lack of life's necessities (for satisfaction?). He isn't forcing himself to walk away from that which he craves. He isn't limiting his intake. This man is increasing his intake. This man is craving for God's way. He sees discipline as that way by which he will know Him in Whom he delights most and might see Him more clearly. He does not see discipline as the mindset which affirms: suffer now so that you can later indulge in something that you really don't want at the moment (he who craves the world over Christ today). Nay. He seeks God now. He wants God now, and he will find Him. He will receive. When he departs this world, he is going home because what he loves is there and not here.
Some might respond, "Wait, what about sufferings of all kinds? What about the discipline to endure hardship and pain? We are not through being sanctified, and so why do you talk about the life of faith as if it were some easy path to walk?"
The response: His yoke is easy, and the burden is light for him who walks by faith. True faith does not say in one's heart, "I'm giving up much to receive little." True faith says, "O God, You are awesome and mighty and I am not worthy! How can this be, that you would would rescue me and make me your friend?! By Your grace alone." Surely, we are not perfect, and the discipline God imposes on us is still great joy for those who believe because its purpose is perfect and desirable - bringing us to conform to the image of Jesus Christ. Discipline is the means (self-imposed or externally imposed, it's all by the grace of God we receive such a gift that we might become more like Him), and Christ-likeness is the end. See Job? He was a righteous man. But, he was not without fault before the Lord. Who can stand before the Lord, and answer Him? None. Job could be scoured out (and he did grow). The blessed work of sanctification, led by the Holy Spirit, that we might share more deeply in the love shared between the Father and the Son, involves the grace of discipline toward us, helping us to keep the greatest commandment.
No matter what his mouth says, the man who says in his heart that he's putting off gain now for future reward is blinded by the life he still devotes to the world. He's doesn't see himself gaining in the immediate, but only in the long run. And, such a man sees himself as sacrificing for gain, as if he has anything to sacrifice of worth. What...is your life worth something on its own merit? Can your live, if sacrificed, save even you? That man is working for God. He's going to "struggle" for the moment so that he can earn the promised reward. He's not storing up treasures in heaven, though he thinks he is. His treasure is still on the earth, for his heart resides there also. The only reward he'll receive is the true wages for his work (and disbelief): death in eternal torment.
If you perceive your Christian walk strong because you are "giving up" everything for Jesus. Give up. You have nothing of value in and of yourself. You cannot even give up your life without the Lord determining it. And, about that treasure you are to be storing in heaven...well it's not like you have some secret stash of jewels you're hiding from Him. He alone is valuable. His life alone gives yours any and all significance. You find that lifestyle of "giving up" to be dissatisfying anyway by the notion that your joy is diminishing in the present (as if you could be satisfied elsewhere, Christian?). You take no joy in it, and faith is often best measured by joy. This is where we must test our faith. We must consider the state of our souls. Have we been regenerated by the Holy Ghost and brought into the family of God (Surely you or I cannot just decide to scale heaven's wall and join the crowd. We cannot siege the gates and expect entrance.)? But again, that question of "What's giving up _____ in light of Christ?" That's just it. It's not "giving up," or relinquishing something desirable or hoped for. Consider the following hypothetical situation (given: it's limited in applicability):
- Suppose you have a taste for Pizza Hut's pan-crust pepperoni pizza. You love it, and the more you eat it, the more you want to eat more (suppose no stomach aches, etc.). You don't care for any other pizza toppings or other crust styles except that one. In fact, you hate their taste. Then, suppose I tell you that in order to receive a free, lifetime-supply of Pizza Hut pan-crust pepperoni pizza's, well...you cannot have any other types, ever. Would you consider it loss to "have to give up" all those other types - what you do not desire to begin with - in order to receive freely what you desire most? Then, you're "dead" to those other pizzas, and "alive" to only one.
The regenerated believer, with the Spirit guiding him by conviction primarily through the truths in the Scriptures, will recognize his deadness to sin and grow in godliness. He will learn to guard His path so that he does not become confused about his desires through the deceptions of the world, flesh, and enemy. And, God is faithful in bringing about the completion of that which he begins.
Thus, by faith, the disciplined life is the easiest path. It only requires the follower to trust the Lord that He will keep His promise to keep on giving Himself to the follower and that one day the follower will receive the full inheritance - the Lord in His fullness. With such unfathomable everlasting joy set before you, 80 years is like a drop....AND that 80 years is continual grace and joy for him who believes.
[Note: I do not equate "easy" with "without cost". Neither should you. Following Christ requires your whole life and nothing less (Pick up your cross and follow). If you do not love Him enough to make that proposition desirable, consider your faith and call upon the Lord. From this antinomy comes the maxim to believe like a Calvinist and preach like an Arminian]
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