S U N D A Y S C H O O L continued for Christians to read the lists of rules from God’s Word and pray that the Holy Spirit will show them those things which are displeasing to their Lord. One of the lists of rules concerning our thoughts is found in Philippians 4:8. Read the list carefully and ask yourself which of these is not true of the thoughts in your heart. Usually we speak of the thoughts of our mind; but God’s Word tells us that our thoughts come from the heart. When our thoughts are unkind or impure, our heart needs to be cleansed from sin. Another rule that God gives to us in His Word is: “ Prove [test] all things; hold fast that which is good.” Before you make a choice of right or wrong, test the choice to be sure that it is honoring to your Lord. When you know the right choice, hold fast to it. Only the Lord Jesus can cause your heart to know the choice that will honor Him; only He can cause you to hold fast to that choice even though loved ones or friends might ridi cule you or persecute you. August 15, 1954 Self-Discipline for Growth Matt. 16:24, 25; 1 Cor. 9:24-27; Heb. 12:1-4 Pointers on the Lesson The matter of discipline or self-control is one of the most important factors to be recognized if there is to be proper Christian growth. Jesus stated the princi ple of finding one’s true life through losing it in Christian service. Paul com pared the disciplined life to training for athletes and service in an army. The writer of Hebrews exhorted Christians to “lay aside every weight” and run the race with patience. Three passages will be considered dealing with the disciplined life. The one who would truly follow Christ must be selfless. Christ did not spare Him self in becoming our Saviour. He gave His own life in self-renunciation that His life poured out might be the saving power for the redemption of lost men. And so it is with His followers; they must first of all be unselfish. They must be so taken up with the cause of Christ that they will not be concerned about their own welfare. Such an attitude may mean the sacrifice of many material things, yes, even life it self. But in the end it will be seen that such sacrifice will not have been in vain. For whom are you living, Christ or self? The first discipline in the life of the Chris tian should be that of dying to self that Christ may be more evident. Discipline of the Body 1 Cor. 9:24-27 Paul turns to the athlete to illustrate and enforce his teaching on the importance of discipline in the Christian life. Those who desired to win in the races of Paul’s day had to exercise self-control. As much as ten months of rigid training and self- denial were deemed necessary to ready the athlete for the contest. Abstinence from wine was required along with a Denial of Self Matt. 16:24, 25
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