Discipline is Doing

Luke 22:44 And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

This scripture speaks to me about getting full control over the influence of the flesh.
Christ agonized and travailed until he defeated the influence.
Christ never sinned, but he was influenced by the flesh he dwelt in.

What a wonderful example of Discipline. Discipline is doing what you really don’t want to do, so that you can do what you really want to do. It’s paying the price in the little things so that you can buy the bigger thing

Christ understands what we go through. If you don’t use your head or keep your mind active and regularly take on mental challenges, you will not develop the kind of disciplined thinking that will help you with whatever you endeavor to do as Jesus did. He felt for himself. He saw for himself.
He heard for himself.  As the clay cross song says, he walked a mile in our shoes and mastered his emotions. He showed us to not let our feelings prevent us from doing what drives our purpose to do things here on Earth. Why does it have to be so hard? I ask myself over and over but doing the most important things in life is often hard. God knows that and will help us!

I remember hearing about a book written by A. J. Tomlinson even though he was from the Pentecostal movement, in which he wrote of his sanctification experience. He describes running the Adamic nature (the language spoken by Adam in the Garden of Eden, Genesis 2:19), also referred to as “the Old Man”, through with a sword, and then watching him fall to the earth.

but, he finally defeated the flesh.
he had an angel strengthening him. think about that.
he cried out to the father, being the example of what we should do,
and took upon him pain, agony- he even fought the “old man” to blood.
Satan was not about to let this influence go without a fight.
you see, he thought he had Christ, when he was born, because he knew he had influence. Once Christ came under human form, under flesh.
then he thought he had him for sure when he led the charge to crucify him.
he thought he’d just send Jesus back where he came from, which would leave him to rule.

But, we know the truth; Christ fought the flesh, and defeated it.He showed himself free of its influence to the World, complete obedience to the father, no more second thoughts.

At this point, his is prepared for the cross, having only to pay the price, and become the ultimate sacrifice as well as to then arise from the dead after three days. Christ fulfilled the law and prophets. This is what the Word said he would do.

Christian: in original definition did not mean follower of Christ, but Christ like.

1Jn 2:3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1Jn 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
1Jn 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
1Jn 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

To honestly call ourselves Christians, we must be completely obedient to His Word and His Will.
Sanctification is the second definite work of grace, following salvation. It enables us, through preparation for the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, to defeat the influence of the flesh.

To be Christ like, we must defeat the influence as Christ did. Jesus has done glorious things! Let your face reflect your observation of those things. Talk with others, telling them the glorious things you see the Lord do. Sing. Laugh. Rejoice! 

God Bless You and This Ministry!