Values and Disciplines – 2.
Last week we started looking at the values and disciplines of the Kingdom.
Disciplines are like roots we put down. These roots we grow will sustain us when we need them most.
The righteous are portrayed as trees often in the Bible. Trees have roots that go down deep into the soil.
Psa. 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law, he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.
Jesus emphasizes the importance of putting down roots when he tells the parable of the sower in Matt 13.
Matt. 13:5-6 Some fell on stony places, where they did not have much earth; and they immediately sprang up because they had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up, they were scorched, and because they had no root, they withered away.
Jesus explains the result of not having roots in the Kingdom.
Matt. 13:20-21 But he who received the seed on stony places, this is he who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no root in himself, but endures only for a while. For when tribulation or persecution arises because of the word, immediately he stumbles.
We can see that putting down roots – developing the disciplines and habits essential in the Kingdom – will sustain us in times of difficulty. I love what Jeremiah says about a man who trusts in the Lord.
Jer. 17:7-8 “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes;
But its leaf will be green and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.
How do we put down these roots in our life?
Developing these disciplines takes time. Habits take time to form.
The most important habit we can develop is staying connected and staying in Him – John 15:4. We must abide in Him.
If you spend time doing wrong things, don’t be surprised when your life turns out to be a mess. But, equally, don’t underestimate what fruit you can bear when you do what is right and righteous.
Jesus said that you would know a tree by the fruit it bears – Matt 7:17-18.
Bearing fruit is our responsibility. He is the vine – tree – and we are the branches – John 15:1.
When we understand that we develop the roots or disciplines Jesus had, we will bear much fruit.
Paul tells us the truth about this:
Col. 2:6-7 As you, therefore, have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.
What disciplines did Jesus have?
Jesus had the disciplines of prayer, fasting, thankfulness, sacrifice, giving, submission, service, stewardship, perseverance, self-control, worship, and love.
When we are grounded in Him, these disciplines or roots should be evident in our lives too. The struggle should never be how I am trying to do it. Instead, we must learn to remain and abide in Him.
John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”
