TOPIC 37 OF 47
The Discipline of the Sanctified Life
Habits of faith shaped by grace and sustained by the Spirit.
THE MAIN TRUTH
When the Holy Spirit brings us to faith in Christ Jesus and sanctifies us, it is solely God’s work.
The teaching
From the book · pages 113–115
When the Holy Spirit brings us to faith in Christ Jesus and sanctifies us, it is solely God’s work. In our conversion and new birth through Baptism, we are entirely passive recipients of his grace. Yet, once the indwelling Spirit has created faith and kindled new desires in us, he enables us to act on those desires as we decide to live a sanctified life.
By God’s grace, the decisions we repeatedly make to offer our bodies to God form disciplined habits that shape a Christlike character. Instead of conforming to the faith-weakening habits of the world, the Lord calls us to cultivate holy disciplines so that he may renew our minds and transform our lives by his Word. Unlike other good habits, habits of godly discipline promise eternal blessings.
Such disciplines include attendance at public worship, daily times of silence and prayer, meditation on and memorization of Scripture, fasting, simplicity, generosity, and the intentional practice of Christlike virtues. Disciplined habits are motivated by God’s grace in our baptismal union with Christ, so that our faith may receive and live out the new life of the Gospel.
Scripture foundations
All Scripture excerpts from this topic are presented below in the book’s order. Ellipses and bracketed explanations follow the manuscript. Select a reference to read the surrounding passage in the EHV.
Reading these passages together
The passages distinguish God’s gift of new life from the active practice that follows it. Spiritual discipline serves the reception and expression of grace, not the earning of God’s favor.
12 Scripture excerpt groups
SCRIPTURE 01
2 Thessalonians 2:13 ↗
“. . . God chose you . . . by the sanctifying work of the Spirit and faith in the truth.”
Book page 114
SCRIPTURE 02
Titus 3:5; Romans 8:9-10, 6 ↗
“He saved us through the washing of rebirth and the renewal by the Holy Spirit . . .” “. . . you are not in the sinful flesh but in the spirit, if indeed God’s Spirit lives in you. . .your spirit is alive . . .” “. . . the way the spirit thinks results in life and peace.”
Book page 114
SCRIPTURE 03
2 Corinthians 7:1 ↗
“So then, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles flesh and spirit as we seek to bring sanctification to its goal in the fear of God.”
Book page 114
SCRIPTURE 04
Galatians 5:25; 6:8 ↗
“If we live by the spirit, let us also walk in step with it . . . the one who sows for the spirit will reap eternal life from the spirit.”
Book page 114
SCRIPTURE 05
Romans 6:12-14 ↗
“. . . do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires . . . offer the members of your body to God as tools of righteousness . . . because you are not under law but under grace.”
Book page 114
SCRIPTURE 06
Romans 12:1-2 ↗
“Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice—holy and pleasing to God— which is your appropriate worship. Also, do not continue to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind . . .”
Book page 114
SCRIPTURE 07
1 Timothy 4:7-8 ↗
“. . . train yourself for godliness. For bodily training is beneficial to an extent, but godliness is beneficial in all things, because it holds promise both for life now and for the life to come.”
Book page 115
SCRIPTURE 08
1 Corinthians 9:25-27 ↗
“Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable victor’s wreath, but we do it for an imperishable one. That is why there is nothing aimless about the way I run . . . Instead I hit my body hard and make it my slave. . .”
Book page 115
SCRIPTURE 09
2 Peter 1:5-7 ↗
“. . . after applying every effort, add moral excellence to your faith. To moral excellence, add knowledge. To knowledge, add self-control. To self-control, add patient endurance. To patient endurance, add godliness. To godliness, add brotherly affection. And to brotherly affection, add love.”
Book page 115
SCRIPTURE 10
Proverbs 4:13 ↗
“Hold on to discipline. Do not let it go. Guard it, because it is your life.”
Book page 115
SCRIPTURE 12
1 Corinthians 11:18; Joshua 1:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; Psalm 37:7; Matthew 6:2,16; 1 Timothy 6:6; Romans 13:14 ↗
“. . . when you come together in an assembly . . .” “. . . meditate on [God’s Word] day and night . . .” “Pray without ceasing.” “Be silent before the LORD.” “. . . whenever you perform acts of mercy . . .” “Whenever you fast . . .” “. . . godliness with contentment is great gain.” “. . . clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ . . .”
Book page 115
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture passages are from the Holy Bible, Evangelical Heritage Version (EHV), copyright 2019 Wartburg Project, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission, as noted in the manuscript.
PERSONAL REFLECTION OR GROUP DISCUSSION
Reflect and pray
Why must Christian discipline begin with grace?
Which habit currently strengthens your faith, and which tends to weaken it?
What small, sustainable practice could help you receive God’s Word more regularly?
A prayer
Holy Spirit, strengthen the new desires you have created in us. Form habits of prayer, Scripture, worship, and service that keep us receiving and living Christ’s gifts. Amen.