Week 7
“When you do good deeds…”
“When you pray…”
“If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
“Moreover, when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward.” —Matt. 6:2, 5, 14-16 (Read all of Matt. 6:2-16 for context.)
I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is an act of spiritual service. Do not be shaped by this world, but be transformed by renewing your mind, so that you may discern the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. —Rom. 12:1-2
Paul says in Romans that we are to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. The problem with a living sacrifice is that it can crawl off the altar. The spiritual disciplines—prayer, fasting, giving, forgiveness, and others—are designed to help us remain surrendered. They are the training ground where God forms us and teaches us to abide in him, especially in surrender.
God calls us to die daily to our own will and flesh. A life of complete surrender seems impossible to live, and it is—without grace. It is not you, but Christ working in you who enables you to do all he commands (Phil. 2:13). His grace is sufficient (2 Cor. 12:9), but it requires your cooperation—the disciplines enable his grace to be exhibited in our lives.
Reflection Questions
What spiritual disciplines do you find most meaningful? Which disciplines do you connect with the least?
Which spiritual disciplines do you feel God desires you to practice more?
Lord, what are you teaching me in today’s reading?
Lord, what else have you said to me through thoughts, circumstances, conversations, emotions, or the work of the enemy?
Lord, what do you want me to do: At home? At work? In ministry?