Values and Disciplines.
Jesus taught his disciples both the values and the disciplines of the kingdom. Reading the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5-7, it becomes clear that Jesus used the values and the disciplines of the kingdom to disciple his followers.
Everything that will make your walk as a Christian more successful is encapsulated within these two concepts.
People everywhere struggle to live the overcoming life – John 10:10 – that Jesus promised because they have not developed the ability to install these values and disciplines into their daily lives.
The kingdom’s values determine the standard of living in the kingdom, while the disciplines will keep you grounded in a walk that will cause you to be more than an overcomer – Rom 8:37.
Discipleship is about teaching someone the values and disciplines Jesus taught them.
The kingdom of God has its own culture, just like we have an American culture or an African culture. The citizens of that culture display or make the values visible as they uphold them. As citizens of heaven, the kingdom’s values should be visible by how we live – Phil 3:20.
Jesus made this clear when He said that a good tree could not bear bad fruit, neither can a bad tree bear good fruit – Matt 7:17-18.
It is impossible to have the wrong values and demonstrate the right ones. The fruit you bear reveals the values you uphold. Your lifestyle will tell what you value as important or what standard you maintain.
Where values will reveal the fruit of your life, disciplines are those things or times where we get intentional about change. Disciplines are the roots we develop to produce different fruits. Spiritual disciplines are the actions we take to bring a difference in our way of thinking.
If you have a tree that bears bad fruit, you must cut the tree’s roots. However, removing the fruit will not stop the tree from producing bad fruit. If you want to see a change in your life, you must cut the wrong disciplines and develop new disciplines to see a change in your life.
Proverbs says: As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. To change your actions, you must change your thinking. Look at what Paul says:
Phil. 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Paul asks them to look at his life. Whatever they observed him doing or saying, copy that because he imitates Christ.
1Cor. 11:1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.
It all starts when we get born again. We no longer value what the world offers. The world’s standard is not our measurement anymore. We are now part of a different kingdom with different values and disciplines.
John the Baptist challenged his audience by stating that repentance means doing things differently.
Matt. 3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance.
Paul testifies of his work amongst the gentiles and reiterates the same thing. Therefore, do the work or produce the fruit that fits your repentance.
Acts 26:20 but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.
Repentance is more than just admitting you were wrong. The fruit of repentance is a changed lifestyle. So how would we live differently?
Jesus came to give us the values and the disciplines of the kingdom to make it possible.
Spiritual disciplines help us instill Godly values – Dr. Henrik Vorster.
