Have you ever noticed or given much thought to the fact that there are two sides to everything? Two sides to a wall, two sides to a coin, and even two sides to a story, meaning that people often see the same situation with a different understanding. So much of the time people focus on the negative instead of the positive side. Discipline is not a word many people take joy in because most of the time we equate discipline with punishment. However, today we are going to study the positive side of discipline which means to train and develop by instruction, by example, and self-control.

Whether we realize it or not, we begin learning discipline at a very young age. We are taught and trained to brush our teeth, take baths, clean our rooms, to fold clothes, help in the kitchen and the yard, etc. In school there comes another form of discipline called homework. We learn to drive a car and arrive on time for appointments. All of these are some form of discipline and the Bible says a lot about discipline.

Great leaders need great discipline.

Abraham learned the discipline of faith and patience while waiting for the promised son. Moses learned on the backside of the desert the discipline of patience and caring needed to lead sheep in preparation to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. David learned the humility of leadership by caring for sheep, and then respecting King Saul when he had already been anointed as King. Paul learned the discipline of obedience and the power of God on the Road to Damascus, losing his eye sight when he met the brightness of Jesus. After submitting to the instructions of Jesus he received his eye sight again, and God used Paul to teach others about the love and forgiveness of God through the Light of the world – Jesus, the Savior, the Son of God.

Discipline involves obedience, faithfulness, perseverance, love, and humility.

These areas reveal the condition of our heart. We should examine ourselves on a regularly basis and make any adjustments necessary to remain strong in our faith in God. They are very intricately intertwined with one another.

Our level of obedience is determined by our level of love for God. Obedience is not meant to be a hardship but a joy of the heart and has the result of bringing the blessings of God into our lives. If we really love God, His commandments are not burdensome to us. (1 John 5:3) Jesus tells his disciples in John 14:15, “If you love me, keep My commandments.” If we love God, we are to keep His commandments.

To be faithful means to be loyal; having an allegiance to another; to abide, dwell and remain. Christians are called to bear fruit of the love of God and that can only be done when we abide in the vine (Jesus). (John 15:4) We must be diligent to remain in fellowship with our Lord. As children of God, it is required of us to be faithful stewards. (1 Corinthians 4:2) We learn from Luke 16:10 that if we are faithful in the least of things, we will also be faithful in the greater things. Some people don’t spend much time reading their Bible and praying, but being faithful to do so will translate in being faithful to obey His Word. God is faithful and keeps covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments. (Deuteronomy 7:9) First Corinthians 1:9 declares that God is faithful and calls us unto fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Being faithful to God is evident in our love for others, and our ability to stand in faith.

Perseverance carries the understanding of continuance and persistence. In other words, we stay the course in living and obeying the Word of God. Even when times get difficult; even when we have done all we know to do, we continue to stand with God, believing His Word. (Ephesians 6:13) According to First Corinthians 16:13, we are to watch, stand fast in the faith, and be brave and strong. If we remain strong and not allow ourselves to become weary or faint-hearted, we will reap what we are believing for in due season, and complete the plan God has for our lives. (Galatians 6:9)

Our ability to love has its basis on whether we have received God’s love for us. We love him because he first loved us. (1John 4:19) We love others because He loves them. His love abiding in us gives us the desire and power to treat others as He would treat them. Jesus told us in John 15:9 that He loves us as the Father loves Him, and we are to abide in His love. Ephesians 4:32 give us blueprint of how to love others: “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” Galatians 5:14 tells us that all the law is fulfilled in one word and that is to love others as ourselves. How we care for others is an indication of how well we really care for ourselves; so be nice to yourself; speak kindly about yourself, as well as others.

Humility is characterized by patience, long-suffering, and does not think of themselves more highly than they ought. The society we live in is not patient, and has trouble with either thinking too highly – or too lowly of themselves than they should. Humility has balance; it is not conceited or excessively proud of oneself, but at the same time has respect for oneself and qualities God has given them. (Romans 12:3) James 4:6 tells us that God gives grace to the humble and then tells us in verse 10 to, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.”  A humble person will work to be excellent in all they do but they will not be prideful or boast of themselves, but instead boast in what God has done in and for them. We are to walk worthy of our calling of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. (Ephesians 4:1, Colossians 1:10) We are to be imitators of God, walk in love as Christ also has loved us. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

Remember, yesterday is today’s past; today is yesterday’s future; today is tomorrow’s past; and tomorrow is today’s future. Each day begins as the present, having a past and a future. Walk in love and wisdom toward others and for yourself.

Discipline trains us to hear God’s voice and to obey His voice. What seems to be the “quiet years” are never wasted when submitted to God. May the discipline of obedience, faithfulness, perseverance, love, and humility prepare you for the greater plans God has for your life.