I hope you forgive me this week for posting (again) something that is so much tied to myself. One of the neat blessings about writing this blog each week is, in some ways, it acts as a spiritual journal. Throughout the years, I can look back at different posts and it recalls to me the motivation, and personal elements that brought about the “why” I wrote this or that.
This week I ran across this: “personal discipline challenge” that was written in May 2012. At the time I was twenty-four years old, engaged to be married, and just started the job that I remain in today. Now nearly ten years down the road, it is interesting to see how these beliefs have continued to shape my life.
Most churches have a Discipline, which is a statement of their beliefs, so what is your Personal Discipline? What do you believe? Do you really believe it or just profess it? It matters what we believe. Here is mine from 2012, and by God’s amazing grace I would testify that it is still the same today.
Patrick’s Personal Discipline
1) I believe that without the blessing of sanctification a man cannot and will not go to heaven. You must be purged from all sin, which are sins committed and the carnal sin within. This must happen before you die, and it is an instantaneous work of grace obtained through faith, made possible by the merits of Jesus Christ.
2) I believe that a holy heart produces a holy life. “So be ye holy in all manner of conversation.” Holiness is being dedicated and devoted to the service of God. This service is reasonable, joyful, and “second nature.” It is that way because it is all through the power of the Holy Ghost; God’s will becomes your nature, and his will can be understood if you keep his commandments.
3) I believe the Bible is both absolute and complete central. It is the Word of God, penned by men who were inspired by the Holy Ghost. We are nothing without it and everything with it. It should be studied diligently, followed fanatically, and taught publicly; always understanding that it is the Holy Ghost within that translates it to our hearts.
4) I believe that perfect love is the mark of a true Christian and a sanctified person. Perfect love towards God and perfect love towards man. A heart so full of love towards the Father and for the Father; and his Son Jesus, that your entire life is bound by the will of God and the wanting to follow his will and obey his way; at any cost. This love is not obtained by striving or any personal merit, but is obtained by asking in faith, and manifested by the abiding presence of the Holy Ghost. This second work of grace can only be instituted in a human heart after that heart has made a full and complete repentance. This “second blessing” makes us “one” with God, even as Jesus and God are one. Furthermore, this love invades every part of our life so that our actions and reactions, thoughts and speech, motives and desires are filled with and governed by the perfect love of God in us. This I believe is Sanctification.
5) I believe you should support your local church. The church is the vehicle that brought you salvation. It is a God ordained institution. We should support it in attendance, in speech, and in participation. Furthermore, I believe we should respect those who faithfully and humbly guide it.
6) I believe that Biblical exhortation given from “proven and sanctified” men and women, given in the Spirit, should be considered, and heeded. “Younger, submit yourself unto the elders and be clothed with humility.” This is not a suggestion; it is a commandment.
This week I would encourage you to take some time and sit down in a private place and draft a personal discipline. Then review it, does your life support your beliefs? Do you know what you believe? Does it line up with the Word of God? I hope you find it rewarding to write it down and boldly tell Satan. This is what I believe!
