INTRODUCTION:
From
scriptures, every child of God is transformed to be a success. Also, God in His
infinite mercies has made a master Plan of success for us in all aspects of
life. This is why the Bible says: 'I know
the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and
not of evil, to give you an expected end' (Jere. 29:11).
However,
like any other scriptural promises, there are always conditions that enable us
to inherit what God has provided for us in redemption. In order words, there is
always what to do to get what we want. Jesus’ mother validated this during the
wedding in Cana when she told the servants: ....…whatsoever
he saith unto you, do it (John 2:5).
Success
always comes with a price. This is why we can by no means find a successful
believer who did not pay the price for
success. Let us be acquainted with the fact that God’s success plan is not
a promise, but a covenant; therefore, until our part is adequately played, God
is not committed to deliver.
Hence, we
must be conscious of our responsibility in the covenant of success. For
instance, we understand from scriptures that when we diligently hearken to
Biblical instructions and observe to do all that God commands, supernatural
breakthrough is usually the outcome. When the covenant is broken, breakthrough
becomes impossible (Deuteronomy 28:1-2). However, there are certain demands
that qualify us for our birthright of success, and one of such is DISCIPLINE.
ABRIDGED DEFINITION OF DISCIPLINE?
Discipline
is simply operating as demanded not as
convenient.
Note the following:
1. No one ever
gets distinguished in any field of human endeavour without the virtue of
discipline.
2. It is
discipline that begets distinction. If we must be distinguished, then we must
be disciplined.
3. Discipline
is not a gift, but a lifestyle of choice we design and submit to. This is
because no one will ever be more distinguished in his pursuit, than he is
disciplined.
4. Nothing
triggers the potential within us like self-discipline
(Gen. 39:9, 41:15-44; Dan. 1:8,
17-20, 6:10-28; 1Cor. 6:12, 10:23).
WHY THE EMPHASIS ON 'DISCIPLINE'
ü Every young
Christian leader needs to be tutored and discipled by engaging the virtue of
discipline.
ü Discipline
is ordained of God to ‘GUIDE’ us and not to ‘GAG’
us;
ü Discipline
is ordained to 'DIRECT' us and not to 'RESTRICT' us;
ü Discipline
is ordained to 'EXTEND' us and not to 'LIMIT' us.
ü Discipline is
ordained to make us 'ELASTIC' and not to 'BREAK' us.
ü Those who
enjoy discipline will endure the challenges of life.
ü Discipline
prepares us for what God has prepared for us.
ü Discipline
produces maturity and maturity is the base line for responsibility.
ü Discipline
is the control valve of destiny.
SCRIPTURAL AFFIRMATION
Discipline
is obviously a fundamental requirement for exploits and the following
scriptural examples validate this claim:
Joseph:
He was a highly disciplined man and he demonstrated this when he
refused to yield to the demands of his master’s wife. He said: How can I do
this wicked thing and sin against God? As a result, he became a distinguished
man of exploits. For instance, he became the breadwinner of nations and the
core preserver of Israel. There were no legitimate charges against him, thus he
could be trusted with the entire estate of Potiphar, his master (Genesis 39:9,
21/41:15-16, 38-44).
Daniel:
According to Bible history, Daniel determined not to defile
himself with the sumptuous delicacies on the king’s table. Thus, he prospered
in leadership for 65 years and he remained a revered consultant to every
subsequent leader of that nation (Daniel 1:8).
Nehemiah:
He was a man sold-out to his task and the well-being of the people
of God. As an exemplary leader, he led a revolutionary army that embarked on
the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. As a result, he was promoted from a cupbearer
to the governor of the nation. We must, therefore, note that our dignity is a
function of our discipline (Nehemiah 1:1-10, 4:15-16, 23).
Paul the Apostle:
He determined to subscribe to what was profitable. He said: All
things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are
lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any (1 Corinthians
6:12; see also 1 Corinthians 10:23). It was said of him, “The gods have come
down to us in the likeness of men.” Even the demons affirmed, “Jesus, I know;
Paul, I know!” He also wrote two-thirds of the New Testament. Therefore,
discipline enhances our productivity and it is the highway to distinction in
the pursuit of any task (Acts 14:11, 19:14-15; 1Corinthians 9:24-26).
Closing Fact:
Remember, it
is our task that determines the kind of approach we put into it. For instance,
Nehemiah and the people never took off their clothes except for washing. They
were on duty as demanded by that task. Also, Daniel and his companions purposed
in their hearts not to defile themselves with the king’s rich food. Therefore,
we cannot make the most of any task that does not make specific demands on our
lives (Nehemiah 4:23; Daniel 1:8).
We need to
understand that highly disciplined people are “sweatlessly” distinguished.
Therefore, the more disciplined we are, the more distinguished we become. From
these scriptural examples, it is abundantly clear that it takes discipline to
pay the extra price for extraordinary accomplishments in the race of life and
be distinguished.
There is no
aspect in life where indiscipline pays, whether in ministry, industry or
politics. This is because, without discipline, life slips off, opportunities
are lost and destinies are destroyed. You shall not end as a victim. You will
never die small.