Let God Be God

08/28/24 – 09/04/24

A Disciplined Life

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  09/04/24

Romans 12:9-21.

In this age of self-care, self-discipline seems to be a dirty word. But good intentions and warm, fuzzy feelings toward God won’t turn us into fruitful Christians. To be a fruitful Christian, we must submit to the Lord Jesus Christ in everything we do—from the way we spend our money to the way we spend our time.

Self-discipline is foregoing that which is easy but wrong for that which is difficult but right. For Bible-believing Christians, this means submitting everything in our lives to the authority of the Word of God. In doing so, we make Him the true Lord of our lives.

In Romans 12:9-21, Paul shows us eight characteristics of Christlike love that are the fruit of a disciplined life:

1. Love hates evil (v. 9).
2. Love gives honor (v. 10).
3. Love is passionate about God (v. 11).
4. Love hopes and perseveres in prayer (v. 12).
5. Love gives (v. 13).
6. Love feels deeply with others (vv. 14-15).
7. Love refuses to get even (vv. 16-19).
8. Love reverses cultural norms (vv. 20-21).

Only by surrendering to the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives can we seek to follow such sacrificial commands. Only by His power can we surrender every area of our lives to Him. As we do, the world will see Christ in us—and they will know that we are His.

Prayer: Father, empower me by Your Spirit to grow in Christlike love. May the people around me see the wondrous transformation You are making in my heart and glorify Your name. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:9-11).