Walking with Jesus: A Call to Discipline
Author: Pastor H. Bill Coker
February 18, 2021
Scripture:
Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt. 16:24).
Reflection:
Walking in the footsteps of Jesus calls us to the place of discipline. It means sacrificing something for the purpose of walking closer with Him. Dietrich Bonheoffer, a German Theologian, recorded these words in his journal as reflections of the opening Scripture. He says it this way: “When Christ bids men come follow Him, He bids them come and die.” Are you willing to die to the flesh, that you may gain Christ? This theme speaks well to the position of the one who will commit to self denial, the one who will bear his own cross, and the one who with a deeppassion, follow after Christ all the way, and at all cost.This is the call to discipline.
Discipline is everything. It means sacrifice—putting off sin in order to put on Christ. Lent is a season of self-denial, carrying the weight of your cross and a deep passion to follow after Jesus our Lord. It is a timeof silence, wherein which the heart yearns for the perfect prescription for the soul. It is a time of synchronizing the frequency of one’s hearts to the heart of Almighty God. Be still! God is still speaking. Lent is a season of reflections. A time of spiritual self-inventory. Invite God inward. Allow Him to shine His light in the darkest compartments of your soul. Then walk with Jesus! Go with Him all the way!
Relinquish all! Repent of your sin! Respond to God! Be restored to walk with Jesus all the way!
Scripture Meditations:
Psa. 46:10; Psa. 139:23, 24
Passion Points:
Sillence, Desire to know God, Search me, O God…
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to walk in the disciplines of the Holy Spirit. In silence, make me to hear Your instructions, so that I may walk worthy of my calling. In reflection, help me to align my will with your will. Search my heart O Lord, and remake me, so that I may see You more clearly, love You more dearly and follow You more nearly, from this time and even forevermore. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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