“Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. 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 9:26-27
Believing in the gospel of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection for the salvation of mankind is a glorious thing. But it does not stop there. What comes next is walking in God’s purpose which is to know Christ and make Him known.
Walking in God’s will in a world that is plagued with evil and while being housed by a body that is not naturally inclined to do good or godly things, will require discipline. To fulfil God’s purpose on earth, you will need to discipline yourself as a believer so you can do all that He wants you to do.
One of the areas in which you should build up your discipline is your prayer life. We see a perfect example of Jesus submitting His will to God in prayer as He prepared for His crucifixion. We also see Him instructing His disciples to pray and build up their strength against temptation in Matthew 26:39. Prayer is a practice for every believer. Without prayer, you will be living a life that is contrary to everything God has laid out for you.
Another thing to bear in mind is that nothing good is ever achieved for God on the bed of laziness. Has God called you to shepherd a flock? You will need to exert yourself in training. The Bible in 2 Timothy 2:15 exhorts teachers of the word to study diligently. Studying the word of God will require your time and effort. It is not to be taken lightly or done passively. Remember that teachers of the word will have to account for what they teach (James 3:1-2). So be a diligent student and teacher of the word of God.
Finally, to properly train yourself in discipline and do good works, you will need to cultivate the environment and habits that help you to walk as God has commanded even when you do not feel like it. Be intentional about the activities that you engage in throughout the day and the people around you. Let them be those that build you up and not those that pull down.
The good news is that in all this, you are not alone. You have the Holy Spirit working in you, and making you all that God would have you be (Philippians 2:13). You are assured of God’s exceedingly great power in you that can work according to His good pleasure so, put it to work in your life every day (Ephesians 2:10).
SAY THIS: Today, I see the importance of what God will have me do and I lay aside every weight, I lay aside every distraction. By the power of God in me, I am walk in the fullness of purpose.
Hallelujah!
Bible Reading Plan:1 Kings 8; 2 Chronicles 5