The Power of Self-Discipline

by Pastor Loi Catubig, 3 years ago

24Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.

25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

We admit that self-discipline is one of the toughest things to establish in life. It is also one of the most hated terms of our times right alongside patience and self-control. But to those who win in life, self-discipline comes up with their testimony. Obviously, discipline is not easy. It takes a lot of pains and sacrifices. Apostle Paul paid those prizes necessarily. In 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, he described his self-sacrifices by comparing himself to an athlete. He said, “I beat my body and make it my slave . . .”  

He manifested a great and inspiring spiritual life in his time by the grace of God. He also accomplished many things for the Lord while he served Him. He was a man of self-discipline. He says that he endured all things in order to reach his objective; he exercised self-discipline, self-control and sacrifices in all things.

Here are key uses of discipline:

• No runner completes the training or a race without it.
• No weight-loss program is maintained without it.
• No human body is kept fit without it.
• No mind is sharpened without it.
• No temptation is overcome without it.
• No Christian life grows without it.
• No negative attitudes be changed without it.
• No godly character be developed without it

If you want to put a stop to mediocrity, to replace excuses, to rise above your weaknesses, to stop your vices, to change your life, and to grow in the faith, you need self-discipline. Winners know that discipline must be a major part of their training. That's the only way victory becomes an attainable reality rather than a distant dream. In the bulletin board of one Bible Seminary was written; “The undisciplined is a headache to himself and a heartache to others, and is unprepared to face the stern realities of life.”

One way of living out our faith is to live with self-discipline. Let us live a disciplined life for the glory of God and for our Christian life to thrive. Do what it takes for it is not easy.

(Edited by; Ptr. Loi Catubig;  From, “Insight for Today” by; Charles R. Swindoll)