“[Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.” (1 Tim. 4:7,8 Amplified Bible)
[Many “new year’s resolutions” involve aspirations for physical fitness. Too often one’s resolve fails due to a lack of self-discipline. However, believers should primarily cultivate the faithful exercise of spiritual disciplines. Keep in mind that a grace perspective will guard against attempting this from self-effort. The abiding Life uses spiritual disciples to cooperate with the Holy Spirit in a relationship of love, listening to God through the Bible and responding to Him in prayer. Our motivation flows from gratitude for acceptance in Christ and a new spirit that delights in God’s ways.] [1]
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord [by grace, through faith], so walk ye in him.” (Colossians 2:6 KJV)
Let us abide in Him. It is much easier to keep the fire burning than to rekindle it after it has gone out. Let us not have to remove the cinders and ashes from our hearthstones every day and kindle a new flame; but let us keep it burning and never let it expire. Among the ancient Greeks the sacred fire was never allowed to go out. So, in a higher sense, let us keep the heavenly flame aglow upon the altar of our hearts.
It takes much less effort to maintain a good habit than to form it. A true spiritual habit once formed becomes a spontaneous tendency of our being, and we grow into delightful freedom in following it. Let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works (Hebrews 6:1); whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing (Philippians 3:16).
Every spiritual habit begins with difficulty and effort and watchfulness. But if we will only let it get thoroughly established, it will become a channel along which the currents of life will flow with divine spontaneousness and freedom.
A.B. Simpson, Days of Heaven on Earth, 1/15 www.cmalliance.org/devotions/
“Among evangelical leaders living at the close of the 19th century, none was more dynamic and creative than Albert Benjamin Simpson. Hepioneered a concept of church life that emphasized the adequacy of Jesus and a burden for world evangelization…” – BibleTeacher.org
[1] Biblical allusions: Matt. 11:28-30; Phil 2:12,13; John 15:1-8; Eph. 1:6; Rom. 7:22. Article Intoduction and title – JBW
Grace Notes: Balanced Diet Reading Plan: https://gracenotebook.com/the-balanced-diet-reading-plan/
For more on spiritual disciplines see http://biblicalspirituality.org/
A helpful personal prayer tool: http://strategicrenewal.com/_product_33307/The_2959_Plan