Discipline Vs. Impulse

"So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse! In our Lord's life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father ... But True determination and zeal are found in obeying God, NOT in the inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature."
-- Oswald Chambers

As Christians we need to have discipline in our lives. (No better way to start out a blog than with a cliche right?)

As I read the quote above, "So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse!" I am almost offended. The foundation of my "Christian work" is not impulse.

Or is it?

Why do I raise my hands in worship? Why do I give offering? Why do I read my Bible? Why do I pray? Why do I stay after service and help stack chairs?

Most of the answers look like, "I feel it is the right thing to do," or "That is what I do because I am a Christian."

We have become a generation of Christians who rely solely on our feelings. Our feelings substitute in for "God's will," and whatever seems or feels right at the time must be God's will.

Instead of being dependent on our feelings, and seeking God through convenience (our feelings become a source of convenience), lets become Christians who discipline ourselves.

2 Corinthians 5:10, "...Bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ..."
What does it mean to bring our thoughts into captivity?

Here is how I think of it:
Do you remember those old school water filters, the ones where you fill water in on the top and it filters it? I view those as "us" or "Christians." We have to filter the thoughts and motives we have. Bringing every thought into captivity means allowing God to have to opportunity to "fine-tune" or "filter" the thoughts and ideas you have so they are according to his will.
The water you put into the water filter is not all bad water, but some impurities still exist in it. That is why we have the filter, so when we drink the water it is pure.
Same with our thoughts; more times than not the ideas we have are solid thoughts. It takes discipline to capture those thoughts, hold back on our impulse to act out on it at that very moment, and finally take it before God.
Taking an idea before God does not mean presenting it to him, then carry on in your own manner. It is letting him filter that thought, shaping it into his perfect will, then acting on what God gives us.

This way God gets the Glory for everything we do. We cannot take any part of the credit if we allow God to guide and direct us.

Let's be disciplined Christians who come before God and seek his will. Lets no longer act on our impulses, no longer just go through the routine, but instead do everything with purpose and with passion.

Hope this can challenge you as it continues to challenge me.

--Clayton Hines