Thursday, January 19, 2006

Striving For Spiritual "Good Order And Discipline"

"Today's Devotion" For January 19, 2006

Read: I Corinthians 9:19-27; Psalm 1

STRIVING FOR SPIRITUAL "GOOD ORDER AND DISCIPLINE"

"No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (I Cor. 9:27)

One of the givens of military life is discipline. When a military person is accused of a crime under military standards - Uniform Code of Military Justice - the charges often will state that the person stands accused "of actions contrary to discipline and good order in," with the name of the specific branch of service following. The Uniform Code of Military Justice is a set of laws - standards of behavior - specifically applicable to the United States military, which sets the parameters needed to maintain "good order and discipline" among the troops and within the military establishment. Many of the requirements found within the UCMJ are no longer found in civilian law - adultery is a punishable offense, as is "fraternization" (where the lines between officers and enlisted get blurred by off duty relationships, particularly romantic ones).

Such an intense and focused discipline is necessary to the mission of the military. The very nature and purpose of the military - to keep the peace, but to fight wars as necessary - requires a unique level of "good order and discipline" in order to accomplish its mission at the lowest cost of human life. When that discipline is shabbily maintained, ignored, or frustrated "the prize" - peace and tranquility for the nation and the world - can be elusive.

In a sense, world class athletes also have a unique and special kind of personal discipline in order for them to compete at the highest levels of competition. The proper diet, sleep, exercise, mental conditioning, and training are essential for their success. In order to achieve their goals, such athletes must make personal sacrifices of time, relationships, physical comfort, and personal freedom. Attaining "the prize" of a world championship or an Olympic gold medal will never be achieved by the "ordinary discipline" of daily life.

When it comes to the principles of discipline, sacrifice is at the top. Military people, while enjoying certain benefits of service, also sacrifice a lot. They often suffer instability in their personal lives - family life is disrupted (dad or mom is often gone for extended periods; children frequently change schools; they're rarely in a house long enough to build equity), they have an often nomadic existence moving from duty station to duty station, their pay is frequently much less than they would get for the same work in the private sector - and are always at the ready to put their lives on the line for the security of the nation (service related deaths don't occur only in combat zones). "The prize" is an early retirement with some security, and the satisfaction of a "job well done" in protecting the nation and keeping the peace.

For the world class athlete, seeking to use their God-given abilities to the maximum level, sacrifice is also a major element. While still required to earn a living (unless the athlete has turned pro and their competing pays the bills) the athlete still has to train. This can mean sacrifices of time, personal life, and family life. These are people who have a unique understanding of St. Paul's words, "I beat my body and make it a slave" (I Cor. 9:27), and the discipline such training requires in order to achieve "the prize" at the end of the race, the competition, and the training.

As important as discipline is to the military and to world class athletes in order for them to accomplish their "missions," it is of even greater importance to us in our spiritual lives. St. Paul makes it abundantly clear that our physical lives and spiritual lives are intertwined. Spiritual discipline also requires physical, mental, and emotional discipline. These are not optional, for we are all, at our core, spiritual creatures created in the image and likeness of God and intended to be in a full, complete, and holy relationship with Him. The condition of Sin - our separation from God due to our disobedience of Him - affects every part of our lives so that there is nothing we do that doesn't have an impact on our spiritual relationship with God. In short, Sin is "contrary to the good order and discipline" of our lives with God and, if its power is not overcome, then our lives fall apart and "the prize" of heaven is lost.

Thanks be to God! He has provided us with the example of sacrifice and discipline for our lives with Him in Jesus Christ. As we by faith strive for the "high calling" to which He calls us in Christ, we are comforted and strengthened that He has made us His very own children in Holy Baptism. We are encouraged by faith in Jesus that our sins are forgiven because of His loving, disciplined obedience to God's Law in our place and the sacrificial shedding of His blood on the Cross as He bore our sins upon Himself for our forgiveness and salvation. By the power of Holy Baptism, fed daily by His Word and Spirit, we are called to repentance and faith, hope and peace, discipline and sacrifice as we strive to attain "the prize" of the high calling of God. Each day we have opportunity to share His love with others as we live for Him and in Him. Such living is the end result of our spiritual "good order and discipline.

Prayer: Father, it's very easy for me to be led away from Your Word and to focus all my time on other things. My sinful nature places greater value on the material things of this world than the spiritual. It's not unusual for me to measure personal success in terms of wealth, prestige, or power thereby taking the world's standards, rather than Yours, as my own. My sinful nature fights against the physical, mental, and emotional discipline that is required to be in a full and holy relationship with You. I find myself willing to sacrifice for short term, but not long term, gain. Heaven is often an "etherial" concept, somewhere out in the future, while there are more enticing and compelling immeditat "prizes" to be obtained right now. Father, forgive me for such near-sighted thinking in my relationship with You. Grant me the power of Your Word and Spirit each day that I may "beat my body and make it my slave" so that it and I may serve You and others in Your name more fully and completely each day. Keep my eyes on "the prize" of heaven, gracious Father, for the sake of Jesus my Savior and Lord. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2006 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.

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